DZWatch News – A recent strike on the Ayn al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon has ignited a wave of condemnation and accusations, with activists alleging it represents a deliberate attempt to dismantle Palestinian presence in the country.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, involved an alleged Israeli drone strike targeting a vehicle within the camp, followed by a reported barrage of three missiles. Palestinian health officials have confirmed that the strikes resulted in thirteen fatalities and several injuries. The area targeted was reportedly near the Khaled bin al-Walid mosque, causing significant damage to a residential building and surrounding structures.
While the Israeli military claims the operation targeted “terrorists” operating from a Hamas training facility in southern Lebanon, alleging the location was used for planning attacks against Israel, Hamas has vehemently denied these claims. The group insists the strike hit a public sports field frequented by children in the camp, reiterating that no military installations exist within Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
Online, activists have voiced strong opinions, viewing the strike as another move in a broader Israeli strategy to destabilize Lebanon and ultimately eliminate the refugee camps.
“The bombing of Ayn al-Hilweh will not break its resolve, nor will the destruction weaken its determination,” wrote Samir, an activist on social media. “All the occupation’s claims are to create confusion within the Lebanese community and to further restrict Palestinian camps.”
Another user, Mohammed, commented that “The bombing of Ayn al-Hilweh is the systematic continuation and the slow plan to liquidate the camps, the origin of our story in exile and the witness to the Nakba…”
Noha condemned the targeting of a civilian gathering, stating that the Israeli occupation targeted a gathering in the Ayn al-Hilweh camp.
The incident has further fueled tensions in the region, raising concerns about the safety and future of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. DZWatch News will continue to follow this developing story.
