Israeli airstrike kills 13 at Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, sparking controversy over target
A deadly Israeli airstrike has killed 13 people and wounded dozens more in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Sidon, southern Lebanon, marking the largest death toll from any attack in Lebanon since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began nearly a year ago. The drone strike targeted a crowded section between a mosque and a well-known football field, with the impact devastating civilian areas inside the camp, home to nearly 80,000 residents.
The Israeli Defense Forces asserted their operation targeted a Hamas military compound, claiming it was being used to plan attacks against Israeli soldiers. Israeli sources described the strike as precise, alleging efforts were made to limit civilian casualties. However, Hamas dismissed these claims as “fabrication and lies,” insisting the strike hit a public sports ground frequented by youth and that no military infrastructure exists in the camp.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed the count of fatalities and reported a surge of wounded victims to nearby hospitals following the intense blast. Ambulances struggled to navigate the narrow alleys of the dense camp, where emergency services worked late into the night.
The airstrike is the latest in a series of cross-border attacks violating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. The ceasefire was designed to halt hostilities and required Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon while mandating that Hezbollah move its fighters north of the Litani River. Despite this, Israeli military operations continue, with Lebanon documenting hundreds of strikes and more than 270 deaths attributed to Israeli actions since the truce took effect. United Nations experts and Lebanese authorities have accused Israel of repeated violations, while Israel counters that cross-border threats from Hezbollah and allied Palestinian factions persist.
Ain al-Hilweh, Lebanon’s largest Palestinian camp, remains a flashpoint in the region. It houses tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees alongside Syrians displaced by war. The camp, already battered by previous Israeli strikes and ongoing tensions, now faces further trauma and instability after the latest deadly raid. The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from Palestinian officials and international observers, fueling renewed fears of a wider conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border.
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