Conflict Incident Report

Renewed clashes in Ein Al-Hilweh refugee camp took place on the 21st of August. The clashes broke out between the Palestinian joint force and Fateh Movement on the one hand, and two extremist groups, Arkoub and Badr. 

The Foukani Street of the Palestinian camp was under heavy machinegun fire, rocket shells, hand grenades, as well as sporadic sniper bullets since the early morning. 

The Internal Security Forces blocked Sidon city's Al-Hesbeh road and the city's Al-Arabi roundabout in line with Ein Al-Hilweh refugee camp's escalating clashes.

Although a ceasefire was expected to enter into force at 4 pm, and two field committees have been set up to this effect, clashes continued in the camp.

A high state of tension dominated the simmering Palestinian refugee camp of Ein Al-Hilweh overnight.

Clashes continued and aggravated on the 22; explosion sounds of RPGs and heavy gunfire are being heard, especially in Tireh Street, a stronghold of Badr and Arkoub groups. They went on until the next morning. 

The morning round of clashes left two Fatah fighters dead and six wounded, including two State Security members in Sidon’s Serail who were wounded by sniper fire coming from the camp.

The calm came back during the afternoon of the 23rd of august, after several secular and Islamic factions met in nearby Sidon and agreed to form delegations to head to the camp and meet with Fatah’s leadership as well as representatives of Bilal Badr and Bilal Arqoub’s hardline militant groups in order to halt the hostilities. 

The current calm is penetrated every now and then by sniper fire.

The clashes caused more than 17 wounded, including the two members of the State Security at Sidon's Serail, and killed two Fatah's members.