Sidon – Lebanon (Agencies): Violent clashes between rival armed groups have continued for three days inside the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, Ein el-Hilweh, resulting in at least nine fatalities and dozens of injuries, according to officials.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between the warring factions have been unsuccessful, prompting Lebanon’s army to cordon off the area surrounding the Ein el-Hilweh camp near the southern port city of Sidon.
Despite Lebanese and Palestinian authorities’ attempts to mediate and bring an end to the hostilities, the fighting has persisted, leading to severe disruptions in the camp. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has suspended its aid operations and services within the camp due to the escalating violence.
The death toll from the clashes, as reported by The Associated Press news agency, reached nine on Monday, with at least 37 individuals sustaining injuries.
The unrest began on Saturday when an unidentified gunman attempted to assassinate a member of an armed group named Mahmoud Khalil but tragically killed his companion instead.
Subsequently, on the following day, full-blown clashes erupted in retaliation when fighters targeted and killed a military general from the Fatah group, Abu Ashraf al-Armoushi, along with three escorts while they were walking through a parking lot. The information was shared by a Palestinian official who chose to remain anonymous when speaking to AP.