The entrance to the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh, in south Lebanon. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah / L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — Three people were killed, including an officer from the Fatah Movement, in a clash between two families in the camp of Ain al-Hilweh located south of Saida, a Palestinian source in the camp told L'Orient Today's correspondent.
A clash between two Palestinian families for old personal reasons in the Braksat area at the northern entrance to Ain al-Hilweh resulted in three deaths; a Fatah officer and two bystanders (a woman and a child).
The source stated that the two families are supporters of the Fatah movement.
The Palestinian National Security Command succeeded in stopping the clash and is now working to calm matters between the two families.
Those involved in the conflict will soon be handed over to Lebanese security bodies.
Reacting to the incident, UNRWA deplored in a statement that it was “the first day that children have returned to school after a difficult period of war,” noting that a kindergarten child and his mother were “seriously injured.”
“UNRWA is deeply saddened that children and women are victims of the armed escalation inside the camp and that this affects its ability to provide essential services,” it continued. It announced the suspension of its services in the camp until further notice and “until the safety of children, camp residents and staff is guaranteed.” However, it has added that waste collection will continue in certain areas.
Some 54,000 Palestinian refugees live in Ain al-Hilweh, the largest camp in Lebanon, which is the scene of frequent armed clashes between rival groups.