Haniyeh urges Nasrallah, Berri to intervene to end Ain Al-Hilweh fight
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Haniyeh calls on Sayyed Nasrallah and Berri to put effort to stop clashes in the Ain Al-Hilweh camp.
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The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Saida, Lebanon, on 26 June 2022 (Hamas website)
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 a letter, Haniyeh briefed Sayyed Nasrallah on the situation in the camp and the clashes that claimed the lives of a number of people and injured dozens.
The Hamas leader stressed that the movement is keen on security and stability in the camp and its vicinity, adding that Palestinian camps remain a basis for the refugees' return to Palestine.
He also emphasized that Palestinian arms should remain directed only against "Israel".
In his letter, Haniyeh pointed out that the decisions taken by the Palestinian authorities, especially the Joint Palestinian Action Committee, must be respected and implemented in full coordination with the concerned official Lebanese authorities, in terms of not resorting to military action, reaching a final ceasefire, as well as the withdrawal of militants, and giving the investigation committee the chance to carry out its role in investigating the crimes that took place in coordination with the relevant authorities in Lebanon.
Haniyeh calls on Berri to intervene positively in the clashes
Likewise, Haniyeh called on the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, to intervene positively to stop the ongoing clashes in the camp, during a phone conversation between the two leaders.
Berri confirmed his concern for the security and stability of the camps, for the Palestinian people to live in safety, and to resolve any dispute through dialogue and understanding, promising to make efforts to end the current situation in the camp in cooperation with the Palestinian authorities.
The ceasefire in Ain Al-Hilweh was broken again late Wednesday as gunfire and explosions echoed through the refugee camp on an otherwise relatively calm night.
The clashes in the refugee camp were renewed, with Fatah fighters and armed extremists partaking in armed clashes despite the existing ceasefire, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.
"Violent clashes with machine guns and rocket launchers rocked Ain Al-Hilweh camp," our correspondent reported.
The confrontations were renewed as a result of Jund Al-Sham elements attacking Fatah command centers.
Fatah Secretary-General in Saida, Maher Shabayta, told Al Mayadeen that the movement was committed to the ceasefire in the camp.
"We are committed to the ceasefire in the Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp, but we were surprised by a rocket attack on one of our posts, leading to the martyrdom of one and the injury of two [of our members]."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 2, 2023
- Maher Shabayta, Fatah Movement's Secretary-General in Saida to… https://t.co/FDKmohyXc8
"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.
Read more: Exclusive: MP says Ain Al-Hilweh sedition linked to Israeli escalation
