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Israeli strike near Palestinian refugee camp leaves 13 dead
An Israeli airstrike near the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people and wounded four others, Lebanon's health ministry reported Wednesday. The attack targeted what Israel described as a Hamas training facility, though the group denied any military presence in the area.
Israeli military justifies operation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it had struck a Hamas "training compound" in Ein el-Hilweh, alleging the site was used to "plan and execute attacks against Israel." The IDF claimed it employed precision munitions and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian harm, though footage showed ambulances navigating smoke-filled streets amid rescue efforts.
Hamas dismissed the allegations as "fabrication and lies," insisting the targeted area was an "open sports field" with no military infrastructure. The group condemned the strike, which occurred near a mosque typically crowded at night.
Escalating cross-border violence
The attack follows months of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, primarily targeting Hezbollah but increasingly hitting Hamas operatives. The conflict intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on 8 October 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Lebanon's health ministry reports over 4,000 deaths-including many civilians-and 1.2 million displaced since hostilities escalated.
Israel's military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has resulted in at least 69,169 Palestinian deaths, per Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Israeli forces have lost 80 soldiers and 47 civilians in clashes with Hezbollah.
Regional tensions persist
The strike underscores the volatile spillover of the Gaza war into Lebanon, where refugee camps like Ein el-Hilweh-home to tens of thousands-have become flashpoints. Lebanese authorities and humanitarian groups have repeatedly warned of civilian casualties amid Israel's expanded operations.
