An Israeli airstrike on Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp killed two people, the Lebanese government reported Friday. The strike targeted Hamas positions, raising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. The attack affects residents of Ain al-Hilweh camp and heightens regional security concerns.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said an Israeli drone struck a neighborhood in the southern city of Sidon, while the health ministry confirmed two deaths. Smoke was seen rising from the densely populated camp as ambulances rushed to the scene.
Read more: Wave of Israeli attacks kills two in Lebanon in latest ceasefire violation
The Israeli army stated the strike hit a Hamas command center used for operations, calling the activity a ceasefire violation. Israel vowed to continue acting against Hamas wherever it operates, describing the measures as “decisive” and necessary for national security. Previous Israeli raids have targeted Hamas and Hezbollah-linked positions despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement.
Ain al-Hilweh has seen repeated strikes, including a November 2025 attack that killed 13 people. The UN rights office reported 11 children died in that raid, while Israel claimed it struck a Hamas training site. Hamas denied having military installations in the camp, calling the attacks illegitimate.
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The escalation follows regional tensions dating back to October 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war. The conflict previously led to two months of intense fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group.
On Sunday, Lebanon also reported that an Israeli strike near the Syrian border killed four people, targeting members of Palestinian group Islamic Jihad. Analysts warn that ongoing strikes could further destabilize southern Lebanon and worsen humanitarian conditions for refugees.