Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida, in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2022. (Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT —Two people were injured, with one in critical condition, after an armed clash broke out Saturday in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida, in southern Lebanon, between two Palestinian factions, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the south.
According to a Palestinian source in Ain al-Hilweh camp, members of the Fatah movement stationed in the Barakat neighborhood and Islamists stationed in the Safsaf neighborhood at the northern entrance of the camp exchanged fire after a verbal fight broke out between them.
The sounds of RPGs were heard across Saida. Heavy weaponry such as machine guns and hand grenades may also have been used.
The commander of the joint Palestinian force in the Ain al-Hilweh camp, Colonel Abd al-Hadi al-Asadi, told L’Orient Today "there are no political reasons behind the armed clash in the camp.”
Asadi said the shooting stopped approximately 90 minutes after it erupted and that efforts are underway “to completely end the dispute and end its repercussions."
"Things are heading toward calm,” he added.
The heavily-populated Ain al-Hilweh camp is regularly the scene of shootings and clashes, either due to personal disputes or because of tensions between the various Palestinian factions.
Additional reporting contributed by Muntasser Abdallah.