Conflict Incident Report

Daily Star - SIDON, Lebanon: Four people were wounded in clashes that erupted in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp Saturday, hours after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas departed Lebanon following a three-day visit. An exchange of fire between Fatah Movement supporters and Islamist gunmen developed into armed clashes, putting the Lebanese Army on high alert at the entrance of south Lebanon's Ain al-Hilweh camp. A security source told The Daily Star that the incident began as a convoy for Fatah member Mohammad Dahlan's wife, Jaleela, was passing through Baraksat neighborhood. The crossfire had wounded two individuals initially, who were identified as Shirine Z. and Amer Kh. Two others were injured after clashes intensified. A senior official of the Islamist faction Osbat al-Ansar, identified as Mohammad Khalil, was among the injured as he arrived at the scene in an attempt to calm the fighting. Khalil's injury further ignited the situation. A source said that he was admitted to the nearby Al-Rai hospital for treatment. Khaili, who is known as Abu Aisha, is wanted by Lebanese security forces Shops closed as residents in Baraksat and Safsaf neighborhoods began evacuating their homes. Two cars were set on fire after being hit by direct shelling. One of the vehicles was parked outside Fatah headquarters in Baraksat the other was owned by camp resident Lubna Hmaidi. Intermittent sniper activity was also reported during the clashes and gunmen from both groups erected barricades to obscure the other side’s vision and free movement inside the camp. The Lebanese Army deployed heavily outside the entrances of Ain al-Hilweh, blocking everyone except the wounded from entering and exiting the camp. NNA - Clashes erupted once again in Ain Helwe Palestinian camp, with numerous injuries reported, many of whom were rushed to hospital. NNA - Clashes intensified between Fatah Movement and extremist Islamic groups in Ain Helweh Camp, National News Agency Correspondent said on Sunday, adding that machine guns and rocket propelled grenades were used during the clashes and were heard across the region of Sidon. NNA - Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) closed the entrance of Ain Helwe Camp, in the direction of Sidon Governmental hospital, due to heavy sniping inside the camp, National News Agency Correspondent said . The same reporter added that the security measure was taken for the sake of the safety of civilians.