Sidon: Palestinian group Hamas has condemned an Israeli military strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, labeling it a ‘crime against civilians’ and an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty.

According to Anadolu Agency, the attack, described by Hamas as ‘brutal aggression,’ occurred in the city of Sidon, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries. Hamas asserts that the camp, densely populated with Palestinian refugees, was unjustly targeted, marking a significant escalation and a violation of international laws and norms.

Hamas refuted Israeli claims that the strike hit a Hamas command center, stating that the site belonged to a joint security force tasked with maintaining order within the camp. The group held Israel accountable for the repercussions of the attack and urged the international community, as well as Arab and Islamic nations, to intervene to prevent further assaults and safeguard Palestinians globally.

The Palestinian Red Crescent in Ain al-Hilweh reported that the Israeli drone strike killed two individuals and injured three others. Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed that the strike impacted the Hittin neighborhood within the camp, causing structural damage to the targeted building and its surroundings.

The Israeli military maintained that the strike aimed at a Hamas command center in Ain al-Hilweh. This incident follows a previous attack by Israel in November 2025, which resulted in 13 deaths and multiple injuries, allegedly targeting Hamas members within the camp. At that time, Hamas criticized the attack as an assault on civilians, noting that it targeted teenagers on a sports field.

The recent attack occurs amidst ongoing Israeli violations of a ceasefire agreement from November 2024, which have resulted in numerous Lebanese casualties. Israel continues to maintain control over five Lebanese hilltops and other territories seized during past conflicts.