This evening (Friday), an Israeli attack targeted the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon, raising fears of a growing cycle of escalation within Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
According to information from sources on the ground, the targets targeted members of the Hamas movement who were in one of the buildings where members are constantly present, serving as the group’s main base. According to the data, this location was one of the points adopted by the joint security forces in the camp for security control after the 2023 clashes.
According to information, the targeted area is considered one of the sensitive strongholds in the camp, where the activities of several factions overlap, including the Islamic Jihad movement Hamas, in addition to other armed groups that were parties to previous clashes with the Fatah movement.
The new targeting comes against the backdrop of escalating Israeli threats against what Tel Aviv calls “Hezbollah allies” and amid talk of expanding targeted banks to include people and sites associated with Palestinian factions in Lebanon. Observers believe the attack poses a dangerous sign of potential tensions in the Palestinian camps and foretells a phase in which security will be more emphasized in the south.
Israeli airstrikes this evening (Friday) targeted the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon, raising concerns about escalation within the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
According to information from sources on the ground, the strike targeted Hamas members who were in one of the buildings used by the movement as a main base where members continue to stay. Data shows that this location was one of the points the joint security forces in the camp relied on to maintain security after the 2023 clashes.
The information suggests that the targeted area is considered one of the sensitive areas within the camp, as it is involved in the activities of several factions, including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movement, in addition to other armed groups involved in previous conflicts with Fatah.
The new targeting comes amid growing Israeli threats against what Tel Aviv calls a “Hezbollah ally,” with discussions to expand targeted banks to include people and locations associated with Palestinian factions in Lebanon. Observers believe the attack poses a dangerous signal about the possibility of shifting tensions to the Palestinian camps and suggests security in the south is at a more cautious stage.
