An Israeli military strike near the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 13 individuals and wounded four others, according to statements from Lebanon's health ministry.
Images from the scene depicted emergency personnel at the entrance of Ein el-Hilweh, which is Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp. Footage circulated online showed ambulances navigating the camp's narrow streets amidst a large plume of smoke rising from the strike location. Initial reports suggest the attack impacted an area adjacent to a mosque, typically active during evening hours.
The Israeli military stated its forces targeted members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas "operating in a training compound... in the Ein el-Hilweh area." The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also affirmed that "measures were taken to reduce the chance of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information." Hamas has not issued a comment regarding the incident.
Israel has conducted air strikes in Lebanon targeting both Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group, and Hamas since an agreement aimed at concluding conflict with Hezbollah. These operations have predominantly focused on Hezbollah.
The broader regional conflict intensified following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023. This event led to approximately 1,200 fatalities in Israel and 251 individuals being taken hostage, based on Israeli figures. Israel's military response in Gaza has resulted in at least 69,169 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated after October 7, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli positions, stating its actions were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This period saw a 13-month escalation culminating in an intensive Israeli bombing campaign and a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024. Lebanese authorities reported that Israeli operations in Lebanon resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths, including numerous civilians, and displaced over 1.2 million residents. Israeli authorities reported more than 80 of its soldiers and 47 of its civilians were killed during these hostilities.