At least 13 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike near the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at members of Hamas operating within a training compound in the area, claiming that the site was used for planning and executing attacks against Israel. Hamas, however, has denied these allegations, labeling them as fabrications.
In addition to the fatalities, the health ministry indicated that at least four others were injured during the strike. Images emerging from the scene show emergency personnel responding at the entrance of the refugee camp, while video footage depicts ambulances navigating the narrow streets as smoke envelops the area. Initial reports suggested the attack occurred near a mosque typically bustling at night.
Hamas condemned the airstrike, asserting that there were no military facilities in the Lebanese Palestinian camps and describing the targeted location as an “open sports field.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties before the strike, including the use of precision munitions and comprehensive intelligence gathering.
Tensions have escalated since Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties. In response, Israel’s military actions have reportedly led to the deaths of numerous Palestinians in Gaza. The conflict further intensified following Hezbollah’s rocket fire at Israeli positions, which they attributed to solidarity with Palestinians.
The broader context includes a protracted engagement between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into an extensive bombing campaign and ground incursion in southern Lebanon in October 2024, resulting in significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement in Lebanon, as reported by local authorities.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l73j781y9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss