After the violent clashes that erupted in the Ain el-Hilweh camp, the Palestinian Joint Action Committee in Sidon confirmed on Friday evening its commitment to establishing a ceasefire. The fighting has shifted during the day between the "Fatah" movement and Islamist groups inside Ain el-Hilweh from the Baraksat emergency area to the Hattin neighborhood, resulting in numerous violations of the ceasefire as sounds of rocket fire and automatic weapons could be heard. According to reports, the clashes since last night have led to about 35 injured individuals, with officials from the "Fatah" movement noting that militants in the camp are of various nationalities, not solely Palestinians.
The efforts made at the highest Lebanese and Palestinian levels have resulted in agreement on a ceasefire starting at 7 PM in Ain el-Hilweh. Explosions can still be heard periodically after a turbulent night for the camp's residents due to the intense fighting in several neighborhoods, particularly in Baraksat, the emergency area, Bustan al-Quds, and the security area. By day, stray bullets struck parts of the city of Sidon during the second round of clashes in the camp, injuring a security officer in the head, who was transferred to Hamoud Hospital in Sidon and underwent surgery. One of the shells from the clashes fell on the roof of the Sidon governmental headquarters and an internal security office, causing significant damage to the building's roof and shattering the glass of one of the offices.
A significant displacement was recorded from the conflict areas toward safer regions. Reports indicated that the "Fatah" movement had launched an attack on centers of hardline Islamic forces in the camp after the deadline given by Palestinian factions for the Islamic elements to hand over those involved in the assassination of the camp's military leader, General Abu Ashraf al-Armooshi, expired. The Palestinian Joint Action Committee in Sidon called for an immediate ceasefire to allow the committee to play its role in establishing security and stability and enhancing its role in addressing recent events in the camp.
**Clarification from "Fatah" and PLO Factions**
An official statement from the media office of the "Fatah” movement and the Palestinian Liberation Organization factions in Lebanon clarified that it is circulating in WhatsApp groups that brother Fathi Abu al-Ardat said on Al-Mayadeen channel: "The decision to enter the emergency area was made unanimously, and we know beforehand what might happen, but we must eradicate terrorism from its roots to control security in the camp." The media office emphasized that Fathi Abu al-Ardat did not make any statement to this channel regarding this issue, and the news is completely false.
**Abdul Rahman al-Bazari's Statement**
MP Abdul Rahman al-Bazari stated that the recent events in Ain el-Hilweh camp, along with those preceding them, indicate the existence of a security and political problem in this camp that negatively affects the safety of residents both in Sidon and the surrounding areas, as well as in Ain el-Hilweh. He added that what transpired yesterday is evidence of the failure of the various efforts made by local and national Lebanese political forces and the government, in addition to the multiple meetings among Palestinian factions. Al-Bazari stressed that the citizens of Sidon, the surrounding area, and Ain el-Hilweh camp have lost their patience and trust in the proposed solutions, and the Lebanese state is supposed to fully assume its responsibility towards its citizens and towards the Lebanese and Palestinian civilians in protecting them and maintaining the stability and security interests of Sidon and its vicinity. Al-Bazari concluded, stating that "the biggest loser is Sidon, the primary supporter of the Palestinian cause in Lebanon, and what is happening plays into the hands of the Israeli enemy."
**UN Emergency Call**
The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, issued an urgent call to stop fighting in the Ain el-Hilweh camp and evacuate UNRWA schools. The appeal stated: "The ongoing clashes in the Ain el-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees, alongside the ongoing seizure of eight UNRWA schools, prevent nearly 6,000 children from accessing their schools at the start of the school year." He added, "Educational institutions must be safe and neutral spaces, which are crucial for children's learning, well-being, and growth. The use of schools by armed groups is a gross violation of both international human rights law and international humanitarian law, jeopardizing children's right to a safe learning environment and threatening their future and that of their entire community." Riza called on armed groups to "cease fighting in Ain el-Hilweh and immediately evacuate these schools, facilitating the work of UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations to provide necessary protection and assistance to all families in need in the camp." He confirmed that "protecting civilians, including children, and ensuring their access to schools safe from all forms of violence and exploitation is a shared responsibility. All relevant actors must take steps to protect civilians, facilitate the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and put an end to the use of civilian infrastructure for combat purposes."
**Mufti Sosan's Call to the Prime Minister**
Mufti Sidon and its Districts, Sheikh Salim Sosan, made a phone call to Prime Minister Najib Mikati to brief him on the situation in Sidon following the renewal of clashes. Sosan urged Mikati to "work through all available means to pressure for an end to this security bleeding for Sidon from its Palestinian edge, and for the Lebanese state to assume its responsibility in this regard." Additionally, Mufti Sosan conducted a series of calls with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, MP Osama Saad, Bahia Hariri, and Deputy Head of the Political Bureau for the Islamic Group Bassam Hamoud.
**Lebanese University Announcement**
As a result of the security developments in the camp, the Lebanese University issued a statement announcing that "due to the new security conditions in Sidon, and in the interest of the safety of students and staff, the branches of the Lebanese University in the city of Sidon will be closed today, Friday, and the exams scheduled for today will be postponed to a later date, with the Lebanese University Presidency to issue further statements according to the evolution of the situation," wishing safety and security for everyone.
