Key points
- Israeli airstrikes in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp kill at least 13, mostly civilians.
- Attacks target densely populated areas, hitting mosques, residential buildings, and a sports field.
- Local communities and aid organisations call for urgent protection and humanitarian access.
- Incident raises fears of renewed escalation and increased international scrutiny of Israel’s operations.
BEIRUT: Israeli airstrikes on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon have killed at least 13 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Witnesses reported that residential buildings, a mosque, and a public sports facility were struck, causing widespread panic and destruction in one of Lebanon’s most densely populated refugee settlements, AP News reported Tuesday.
The Palestinian community in Ain al-Hilweh condemned the attacks, highlighting that most victims were civilians, including women and children. “This was not a military strike; this was a strike against us,” said a local community leader, emphasising the vulnerability of refugee populations caught in the crossfire, according to moneycontrol.com.
The Israeli military claimed the operation targeted Hamas training facilities, but residents and humanitarian groups insist the site hit was a public area and community hub, underscoring the civilian toll. Drone strikes later in southern Lebanon reportedly wounded at least 11 more people, including schoolchildren, reinforcing fears that civilian areas are increasingly at risk, according to aa.com.tr.
The attacks mark the deadliest Israeli strike in Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah, signalling a potential renewed cycle of violence. Aid organisations have expressed alarm over the humanitarian situation, calling for immediate access to affected areas to provide medical care, food, and shelter to displaced families.
Local leaders highlighted that Ain al-Hilweh, home to tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees, is already struggling with overcrowding, lack of infrastructure, and limited humanitarian resources. The recent attacks exacerbate long-standing vulnerabilities and raise serious concerns about the protection of civilians under international law.
The United Nations and other global actors are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, with calls mounting for Israel to cease strikes in densely populated civilian areas and to respect the rights of refugee populations. Meanwhile, residents of Ain al-Hilweh continue to cope with trauma, destruction of homes, and uncertainty about their safety as tensions escalate along the border.
