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An Israeli attack near a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
The Israeli military said it was targeting members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas “operating at training grounds… in the Ein Hilweh area.”
Hamas allegedly used the location to plan and carry out attacks against Israel, but no evidence was provided to support this claim. Hamas has yet to comment.
Israel has regularly carried out airstrikes against Lebanese people and areas since reaching a deal with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah to end the conflict. Most of the attacks have been against Hezbollah, but Israel has also attacked Hamas in the country.
The Lebanese Health Ministry said that in addition to those killed in the attack, at least four people were injured.
Pictures show emergency workers at the entrance to Ein el-Hilweh, Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp.
Videos online also showed ambulances rushing through the narrow streets of the crowded camp and thick smoke billowing from the site of the attack.
Initial reports said the attack took place outside a mosque in an area that is usually busy at night. It is understood that there are Palestinian factions in the refugee camp.
“Measures have been taken to reduce the chance of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial observations and other intelligence information,” the IDF said in a statement.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage. Israel’s military response has killed at least 69,169 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The day after October 7, 2023, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated when Lebanese groups fired rockets at Israeli positions. Hezbollah said it acted in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah lasted for 13 months, culminating in intense Israeli bombing and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon in October 2024.
Lebanese authorities said Israeli attacks killed about 4,000 people there, including many civilians, and displaced more than 1.2 million residents. Israeli authorities said more than 80 soldiers and 47 civilians were killed during the hostilities.
