Israeli strike Kills 13 near Lebanese Refugee Camp, Sparking Condemnation
Ein el-Hilweh, Lebanon – An Israeli strike near the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people and injured four others, Lebanese health officials reported today. The incident occured as tensions remain high following escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Images from the scene show emergency responders working near the camp’s entrance,while footage depicts ambulances navigating the crowded streets amidst a large plume of smoke. Initial reports indicate the strike hit an area adjacent to a mosque, a location typically bustling with activity in the evenings.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that precautions were taken to minimize civilian harm prior to the strike, including the use of precision munitions, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information.
Hamas condemned the attack, asserting it has no military presence within Palestinian camps in Lebanon and claiming the targeted site was an “open sports field.”
The strike comes amidst a broader context of escalating violence stemming from the October 7, 2023, hamas attack on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza has, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, killed at least 69,169 Palestinians.
fighting between israel and Hezbollah intensified after the Lebanese group launched rockets towards Israeli positions on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This led to a 13-month conflict culminating in a significant Israeli bombing campaign and ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024.
Lebanese authorities report approximately 4,000 people have been killed in israeli attacks, including a considerable number of civilians, and over 1.2 million residents have been displaced. Israel reports 80 soldier and 47 civilian deaths as a result of the hostilities.
