5 killed in renewed clashes in Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Five people were killed and 15 others injured in renewed clashes between Palestinian armed groups in the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, according to local media.

The fatalities occurred as gunmen used heavy weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

The violence has forced local residents to flee their homes towards Sidon city, the broadcaster said.

The clashes first erupted between gunmen from Fatah movement and a rival armed Islamist group last week, leaving at least 12 people dead.

Established in 1948, Ein el-Hilweh is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, with 50,000 registered people, according to UN figures, though unofficial statistics put the camp’s population at 70,000.

The total number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is estimated to be about 200,000, distributed among 12 camps, most of which are controlled by Palestinian factions.