Violence Escalates in Lebanon's Ein el-Hilweh Refugee Camp

Ein el-Hilweh: Deadly clashes resume in Palestinian camp in Lebanon

Escalating conflict and clashes in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp raise concerns and casualties.

The situation in Ein el-Hilweh, Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp, has taken a dangerous turn, resulting in an escalating wave of violence and clashes that have led to significant casualties. The camp, near the city of Sidon, is home to nearly 55,000 registered Palestinian refugees, with thousands more who have fled the Syrian civil war seeking shelter there.

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Ein el-Hilweh operates outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese security forces, relying on Palestinian factions within the camp to maintain security. Unfortunately, disputes and clashes between these factions are not uncommon, with the most recent escalation believed to be linked to clashes between rival groups that occurred in March.

Although calm was restored following mediation by Lebanese government members, violence resurfaced on July 30th, sparked by the killing of an Islamist group member and an ambush that claimed the life of a Fatah military leader and four of his bodyguards. The conflict resulted in the deaths of seven individuals and over 60 injuries before a ceasefire was brokered on August 3rd.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remained high within the camp, and the violence reignited on Thursday night, spreading to a wider area and involving the use of heavy weapons, including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. This has caused significant damage to property and infrastructure within the camp and neighboring areas.

Reports vary regarding the death toll, with Palestinian sources stating that 10 people were killed, including both Fatah fighters and Islamists, along with two civilians—one of whom was struck by a stray bullet outside the camp. However, Lebanese newspaper L'Orient Today cited sources indicating that the death toll had reached 11.

The Lebanese army reported that five soldiers were wounded, one of them seriously when shells struck two bases on the camp's outskirts on Sunday. It issued a warning to the parties within the camp, cautioning them that "appropriate measures" would be taken if the army's bases faced further endangerment.

The situation in Ein el-Hilweh is deeply concerning, highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinian refugees and the complexities of maintaining security within the camp. As violence continues to escalate, there are growing concerns about the safety and well-being of its residents.