Israel kills Hamas leaders in refugee camps in Lebanon
In the Lebanese refugee camp of Ain al-Hilwah, around 80,000 people reside. A drone strike recently occurred in the camp, resulting in the death of a local Hamas commander. Israel holds him responsible for terror attacks. A protest march ensued in the camp.
Israel struck a Hamas member in the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon using a drone. Samir al-Hajj, who was responsible for security in the Ain al-Hilwah camp, was killed, according to Palestinian and Lebanese security sources. With around 80,000 inhabitants, it is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Hamas mourned the loss of the commander.
The drone fired two missiles at a vehicle deep inside Lebanese territory. The state news agency NNA also reported that an Israeli drone attacked a vehicle near Sidon, south of Beirut. Hamas confirmed the death of al-Hajj.
Israel's military stated that al-Hajj was killed on the orders of its intelligence services. He was responsible for terror attacks against Israel and shelling from Lebanon. In the camp, he served as a military commander and was also responsible for "recruitment and training of terrorists."
Palestinians protest the attack
Hundreds of camp residents began a protest march after the attack, with some calling on Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar to "destroy" the Israeli coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv.
Ain al-Hilwah often sees violent unrest, with most residents being refugees from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and their descendants. Other Palestinian residents were displaced here during the Lebanese civil war (1975-90). Additionally, Palestinians from Syria arrived due to the civil war there.
Since the killing of two high-ranking enemies of Israel from Hamas and the Hezbollah militia, there are fears that the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel could escalate further. The militia is also allied with the Islamist Hamas.
The European Union expressed concern over the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, following the drone strike in Ain al-Hilwah. The European Union called for de-escalation and respect for international law in the region.
The international community, including the European Union, has urged both Israel and Palestine to uphold their commitments to peace and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.