Clashes renew at Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon despite cease-fire

BEIRUT, Lebanon

Clashes renewed on Saturday between Palestinian Fatah movement and rival armed groups at the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon, local sources said.

Sounds of gunfire and shells were heard early Saturday inside the camp, according to an Anadolu reporter at the scene.

The violence erupted shortly after the fighting groups reached a cease-fire agreement on Friday, according to a source with Hamas group.

At least 14 people were killed and more than 40 others injured since the clashes first erupted on July 29, according to UN figures.

On Saturday, Palestinian President received a phone call from Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss developments at the Ein el-Hilweh camp.

Abbas issued orders to reach “a complete and comprehensive cease-fire” between all parties at the camp, the Palestinian state news agency Wafa reported.

Abbas underlined “his keenness on achieving this truce and addressing matters in accordance with Lebanese law and in coordination with the government,” the broadcaster said.

The Ein el-Hilweh camp is the largest of 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

Established in 1948, Ein el-Hilweh​​​​​​​ is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon with 50,000 registered people, according to figures released by the UN, while unofficial statistics put the camp’s population at 70,000 people.

The total number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is estimated to be about 200,000, distributed among 12 camps, most of which are under the control of the Palestinian factions.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi