In brief
An Israeli military strike on a location believed to be used by Hamas near the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon has left at least 13 dead and several wounded. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed the operation was necessary to prevent attacks against Israel. The attack follows a series of air strikes conducted by Israel in Lebanon amid ongoing regional conflicts involving Hamas and Hezbollah.
At least 13 people have been killed in an Israeli strike near a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, the country's health ministry has reported.
The Israeli military stated it had targeted members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas 'operating in a training compound... in the Ein el-Hilweh area.' They asserted that the location was utilized by Hamas to plan and execute attacks against Israel, although no evidence was provided. Hamas has yet to comment on the incident.
Israel has conducted regular air strikes within Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement to end hostilities with Hezbollah, frequently focusing on the Iran-backed group. However, Hamas has also been a target for these operations.
Alongside the fatal casualties reported, the Lebanese health ministry has disclosed that at least four additional individuals sustained injuries from the strike.
Visual reports indicated emergency personnel attending to the scene at the Ein el-Hilweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Footage posted online depicted ambulances navigating the narrow streets as a significant plume of smoke rose from the attack site.
Preliminary details suggest the strike impacted an area adjacent to a mosque, frequently populated during nighttime hours, where Palestinian factions are known to operate.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed measures were taken to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and enhanced intelligence gathering.
This escalation comes in the wake of a significant attack carried out by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 251 abductions. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in significant Palestinian casualties in Gaza, with estimates of over 69,169 deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Further conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after the Lebanese group launched rockets at Israeli military installations the day following Hamas's attack, citing solidarity with the Gazan population.
Israel and Hezbollah had been engaged in a prolonged conflict that peaked in October 2024 with an extensive bombing campaign and ground operations in southern Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties on both sides, including civilian deaths, and the displacement of over 1.2 million residents in Lebanon.
