Hezbollah: Ain al-Hilweh massacre demands firm national response

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Hezbollah official statement
Today 20:08
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Hezbollah condemned the Ain al-Hilweh massacre as a direct assault on Lebanon's sovereignty, warning that any weakness or leniency toward the Israeli enemy will only intensify its brutality and calling for a firm, unified stance to deter further aggression.

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From the aftermath of the Israeli bombardment that targeted the Ain al-Hilweh camp in Saida, southern Lebanon (AFP)

Hezbollah on Tuesday condemned the massacre committed by the Israeli occupation in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Saida, southern Lebanon, an attack that left 13 Palestinians martyred and dozens more wounded.

The movement affirmed that this crime constitutes an assault on Lebanon and its sovereignty, and a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. It noted that the occupation continues to breach the resolution on a daily basis, "with open complicity and partnership from the US administration, which not only supports but actively plans such crimes and aggressions against Lebanon and Palestine."

Hezbollah stressed that Lebanon’s officials must understand that "any display of weakness, leniency, or submission toward the enemy only fuels its brutality and emboldens its aggression." The party warned that limiting the response to symbolic or inadequate reactions "will only invite further attacks and massacres."

The movement further said that national duty "requires adopting a firm and unified stance in confronting this enemy's crimes and deterring its aggression by all possible means, and holding on to all elements of strength that Lebanon possesses," explaining that these elements represent "the only guarantee to thwart the enemy's projects and protect Lebanon’s sovereignty and security."

Hamas also issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, condemning the Ain al-Hilweh massacre as "a brutal assault on our unarmed Palestinian people and on Lebanese sovereignty," rejecting Israeli claims of having targeted a supposed “training compound” as “fabrication and lies aimed at justifying its criminal aggression.” The movement stressed that there are no military installations in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, holding the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the massacre.

Sovereignty Under Assault

The massacre came just as UNIFIL released new data exposing the scale of "Israel's" continued aggression. According to UNIFIL spokesperson Danny Goffrey, the occupation has committed more than 7,300 airspace violations since the 2024 ceasefire, in addition to over 2,400 military activities north of the Blue Line.

UNIFIL also confirmed that two concrete walls being built by Israeli forces near Yaroun cross the Blue Line, constituting clear violations of Resolution 1701 and prompting the mission to formally notify the Israeli side of these breaches.

These developments have intensified political pressure inside the country. In response to the escalating aggression, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on Wednesday for the government to request an urgent UN Security Council session to address "Israel’s" mounting violations, stressing that Lebanon has abided fully by its obligations, whereas the Israeli occupation continues to act with total impunity.