Israeli strike on Sidon kills 13, targets Hamas in Lebanese refugee camp

Israeli strike on Sidon kills 13, targets Hamas in Lebanese refugee camp
Israeli army's strike on Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, 18 November, 2025
Reuters

An Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese city of Sidon killed 13 people and wounded several others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry on Tuesday (18 November).

The Israeli military confirmed the strike targeted militants operating in a training compound at the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, located near Sidon.

The military stated the compound was used by Hamas to carry out attacks against Israel. However, the attack has been met with strong condemnation from Hamas, which called the Israeli claims "pure fabrication and lies." Hamas asserted that the targeted location was an open sports field used by camp residents, not a military facility, and denied any presence of military establishments in the refugee camps in Lebanon.

Reuters independently verified the location of the strike by comparing the road layout, ceiling designs, and water tanks with satellite imagery and government reports. The date of the incident was confirmed by corroborating the details from local sources.

The Israeli military has been involved in regular airstrikes in southern Lebanon, claiming the operations are aimed at Hezbollah and sometimes Hamas militants. Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement last year, requiring Hezbollah to avoid deploying weapons in southern Lebanon and calling for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.

The strike in Sidon underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly as Israel continues its operations targeting Iran-backed militants, while residents of refugee camps such as Ain al-Hilweh endure the consequences of the ongoing conflict.

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