Sidon, Lebanon – On Friday, Israel launched an airstrike targeting the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Israel confirmed that the strike hit a Hamas command center. Lebanese media, however, reported no casualties from the attack, according to the National News Agency.
Targeting the Hattin neighborhood inside the camp
Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone targeted the Hittin neighborhood within the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, adjacent to the city of Sidon. It also indicated that the strike resulted in no casualties, according to local media reports.
For its part, the Israeli army stated that its forces attacked “a Hamas command post from which terrorist elements were operating in the Ain al-Hilweh area.” The statement added that the operation was in response to “repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings.”
Strikes continue despite ceasefire
Despite a ceasefire agreement in place since November 2014 that ended a war lasting more than a year between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter continues to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon. Israel maintains that its goal is to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities.
Israel also frequently accuses armed groups, including Hamas and the Islamic Group, of attempting to threaten its security from Lebanese territory, according to official Israeli statements.
Precedents and repeated escalation
Israel had previously launched strikes on the same camp on November 22. According to Lebanese authorities, the strikes killed 13 people, including children. The Israeli army described them as Hamas members.
This latest escalation comes amid ongoing security tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border. There are fears that the clashes could spread despite international efforts to maintain calm and prevent a wider conflict.
