Hamas denies link with Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian accused of planning attacks in West Bank

A Hamas spokesperson in Lebanon on Wednesday denied to L'Orient-Le Jour any link between his organization and a man from the Ain al-Hilweh camp in southern Lebanon, whom Israel accuses of leading "a terrorist cell operating" in the occupied West Bank.

This man, Mujahid Dahsha, a Palestinian who owns a mobile phone shop in Saida, is accused of ties with Hamas and of having recruited, from Lebanon, Palestinians who "were instructed to film a city" in the occupied West Bank and "received training in the use of firearms in preparation for a sabotage operation," according to Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson.

Five members of this alleged cell were recently indicted in the West Bank in connection with this case, revealed the Israeli spokesperson, who also published an organizational chart of the cell in question, with Dahsha presented as the group's "leader."

Another man operating from Lebanon, Moussa Abu Saif, was said to be in charge of recruitment.

L'Orient-Le Jour tried to contact the shop run by Dahsha without success. A Lebanese Army source also said there was no information on the subject. A Hezbollah official, for his part, denied any link to the suspect.

According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Dahsha left the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp following the release of this information.

The Israeli army's announcement had caused tensions and confusion around his family home, prompting several residents to temporarily leave their homes in the area for fear of being targeted by an Israeli strike.

Residents of the camp also said they had never suspected Dahsha of engaging in military activities.

The suspect's brother stated Tuesday in an audio message shared on social media that he was unaware of his brother's activities or whereabouts. "He left the camp to protect his family, his neighbors and the residents. My brother is acting so that we can return to Palestine," he said.

The occupied West Bank is currently witnessing a sharp escalation of violence and a move toward de facto annexation, with Israel's security cabinet having approved measures to strengthen control, expand settlements and facilitate land seizures. The situation is marked by intensive military raids, mass detentions and an increase in settler attacks.