Several members of the Lebanese Army were injured after a shell fell on their position in Jabal al-Halib, and they have been transferred to the hospital for treatment. The Army responded to the source of the fire. In detail, the Army Command - Guidance Directorate stated in a statement that "on 10/9/2023, as a result of armed clashes inside Ain al-Hilweh camp - Sidon, three shells fell on two centers belonging to the Army units deployed around the camp, resulting in the injury of 5 soldiers, one of whom is in critical condition, and they were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment." The statement added: "The Army Command warns the concerned parties inside the camp against exposing military locations and personnel to danger, and confirms that the Army will take appropriate measures."
Fires were directed from Ain al-Hilweh camp towards one of the Lebanese Army checkpoints around the camp, and the Lebanese Army responded to the sources of fire.
On the ground, clashes continue inside the camp, focusing on the Hittin neighborhood and Red Head, between members of the "Fatah" movement and elements affiliated with "Jund al-Sham" and "Muslim Youth." These clashes follow a brief ceasefire that lasted no more than two hours after the Muslim Youth group announced a ceasefire inside the camp via an audio recording, during which the wanted individual Haytham al-Shaabi urged the armed elements to comply with the ceasefire to preserve the camp's security. The "UNRWA" confirmed that all parties involved in the conflict within Ain al-Hilweh camp in Lebanon must protect civilians and refrain from attacking schools and hospitals.
MP Abdul Rahman al-Bazzari pointed out that "Sidon is experiencing a state of extreme anger due to the repeated clashes in Ain al-Hilweh camp and the repercussions of these security events on the city, its interests, its residents, and its surroundings, amid a genuine absence of successful and sincere solutions to stop them, prevent their recurrence, and defuse the crisis." He added: "Sidon is fed up with the repeated security events that have led to the destruction of the Sidon economy, the disruption of economic, administrative, and educational life in the city, putting citizens' lives at risk, and tarnishing the image of a city that considers itself the main supporter of the Palestinian cause." Al-Bazzari called for the "immediate and serious cessation of clashes and a genuine search for solutions to prevent their recurrence."
MP Nadim Gemayel commented on the events in Ain al-Hilweh, saying: "What is happening in Ain al-Hilweh is disgraceful to what remains of the Lebanese state. Battles are being settled in favor of one of the Palestinian armed factions, all at the expense of the security and safety of Sidon and the villages east of Sidon. The Lebanese Army must intervene decisively for the sake of Lebanon alone, not for Fatah, Hamas, Hezbollah, or those who revolve around them."
The governor of the South, Mansour Dufour, announced in a statement the closure of official administrations operating in the Saraya Sidon due to the new security developments that have emerged in Ain al-Hilweh camp, out of concern for the safety of citizens and employees alike.
Similarly, the president of the Lebanese University, Bassam Badran, announced the closure of the university's branches in Sidon for tomorrow, Monday, "due to the continued deterioration of the security situation around the camp, and to ensure the safety of professors, students, and staff, and subsequent statements will be issued according to the developments."
A citizen (A.B.) was injured by stray bullets while passing through the town of Ghazieh due to the clashes in Ain al-Hilweh camp. Additionally, 8 were wounded in the clashes on Sunday, with 6 transferred to Al-Hamshari Hospital and 2 to Al-Ra'i Hospital in Sidon. A "launcher" shell fell near Sidon Technical Institute at the western edge of Ain al-Hilweh camp, damaging Salim Carpentry Company.
The tents that had been erected in Sidon Municipality Stadium to accommodate displaced people from the camp have been completely removed.
The acting Director General of General Security, Major General Elias Bessari, called— in the absence of meetings today— for a ceasefire in Ain al-Hilweh camp, except for some follow-up communications for the Palestinian factions. A joint Palestinian Action Committee meeting is scheduled at the general directorate's headquarters tomorrow, Monday at 2 PM to discuss the security situation in the camp.
The "Islamic Ansar Association" clarified in a statement that "our position since the onset of these unfortunate and ill-intentioned events has been not to participate in the destruction of our camp and the displacement of our people, and we have been very keen, and still are, to resolve the aftermath of these events from the very start, despite being subjected to gunfire and shells targeting our centers, houses, and mosques." The statement added: "Yesterday, a person from national security named 'Al-Nims' came with a large group to the Red Head site and launched an attack towards the Weeping Willow, which led the residents of the neighborhood to confront him, forcing the Ansar Association to send a group of its youth to prevent bloodshed and stop the systematic destruction of neighborhoods in the camp." The statement concluded: "We have communicated with our brothers in national security at the Red Head site to evacuate them safely, and this is what happened. We have been and will remain loyal to our people and ensure their security, safety, and livelihoods."
