Calm prevails in Ain Al-Hilweh after 3 days of internal fighting

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
3 Aug 2023 14:32

Following the ceasefire that has been reached on Wednesday, tensions remain high inside the camp as calm prevails.

People inspect the damaged car following clashes between the Fatah movement and extremists inside the Ain Al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, in Saida, Lebanon, on August 1, 2023. (AFP)

Calm prevails in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain Al-Hilweh after intermittent clashes broke out in some of the camp's neighborhoods, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Thursday.

Gunfire erupted on Wednesday night after a ceasefire was reached between the Fatah movement and extremist groups in the camp. Explosive projectiles were also fired some of which fell in several locations outside the camp in Saida, Lebanon.

One person was killed on Wednesday pushing the death toll to 12, including the Palestinian National Security Forces commander, Major General Abu Ashraf Al-Armoushi who was assassinated on Sunday, leading to intense clashes within the camp. Reports say that over 60 people have been injured as a result of the events most of whom have been discharged after receiving treatment at medical facilities.

A leader of Fatah Munir Al-Maqadhi confirmed to Al Mayadeen that an official Lebanese-Palestinian consensus for a ceasefire has been reached after investigations into the assassination of Al-Armoushi were launched. Al-Maqadhi noted that the issue of armed presence within the camp cannot be addressed under the current tense circumstances.

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The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, called on the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to exert his efforts to stop the ongoing clashes in Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp in Saida and restore security.

In the message, Haniyeh pointed out that the decisions taken by the concerned Palestinian groups, especially the Joint Palestinian Action Committee, must be respected and fully implemented in coordination with the relevant Lebanese authorities. This includes refraining from resorting to military action, reaching a final ceasefire, facilitating the withdrawal of militants, and allowing the investigation committee to carry out its role in investigating the crimes that occurred, in coordination with the relevant authorities in Lebanon.

Fatah Secretary-General in Saida, Maher Shabayta, told Al Mayadeen that the movement was committed to the ceasefire in the camp.

"We were surprised by a missile attack on one of our positions, which led to the martyrdom of one and the injury of two [of our members]," stressing that Fatah members are defending their positions in the camp.

The Fatah movement is not advancing on any axis, and when such a decision is taken, it will be public, he further stressed.