Deadly Israeli Strike Kills 13 Near Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian Camp

At least 13 people have been killed in southern Lebanon following an Israeli airstrike near the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh, the country’s health ministry confirmed on Tuesday. In addition to the fatalities, at least four others were reported injured in the attack, which has drawn widespread attention and condemnation.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas, claiming they were "operating in a training compound" in the area. Israel alleged that the site was used to plan and execute attacks against Israeli territory. However, Hamas strongly rejected the claims, calling them "fabrication and lies" and insisting that the targeted area was an "open sports field" with no military installations.

Ein el-Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, is densely populated, and footage from the strike shows ambulances rushing through narrow streets amid billowing smoke. Initial reports indicate that the strike struck an area near a mosque, which is typically crowded at night, raising concerns about civilian casualties.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that "prior to the strike, measures were taken to reduce the chance of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information." The incident marks the latest in a series of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which have historically targeted Hezbollah positions but occasionally hit Hamas-affiliated locations.

The strike comes amid a history of violent escalations between Israel and armed groups in the region. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks from Gaza killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, Israel has carried out extensive military operations in response. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 69,169 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military actions since then.

Tensions with Hezbollah have also flared, particularly after the Lebanese group fired rockets at Israeli positions in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalated into an intense 13-month confrontation, culminating in a major bombing campaign and ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024. During that conflict, Lebanese authorities reported approximately 4,000 deaths and the displacement of over 1.2 million residents, while Israel reported 80 soldiers and 47 civilians killed.

The latest strike underscores the fragile security situation in Lebanon and the wider region. International observers have raised concerns over potential escalation, especially given the densely populated refugee camps where civilian casualties are more likely.

The humanitarian impact of repeated airstrikes in Lebanon continues to be severe, compounding the suffering of displaced populations and amplifying calls for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed.

As investigations and on-the-ground reports continue to emerge, the global community watches closely, aware that even a single strike in a volatile region like southern Lebanon can have far-reaching consequences.