The largest camp for refugees in Lebanon will have no more services available on Friday, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which says this is in protest over the presence of armed men in their facilities.
The decision of UNRWA became effective Friday just before noon at the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp, close to the port city of Sidon in the south. UNRWA announced that services would resume on Saturday.
Street fights between the Jund al-Sham and Shabab al-Muslim Islamic militant groups and the Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas lasted for days in the camp.
On July 30, after Fatah accused its opponents of killing a top Fatah military official, fighting broke out.
According to UNRWA officials, the battle left at least 13 people dead, injured scores more, and damaged the camp to the tune of millions of dollars. Inside the refugee camps, where security is controlled by Palestinian factions that frequently vie for influence, there are no Lebanese security forces at work.
In a statement released on Friday, UNRWA noted that armed insurgents continue to frequent its institutions, including its schools. It said, “To ensure the unhindered delivery of desperately needed assistance to refugees, UNRWA reiterates its call on armed actors to immediately vacate its facilities.”
According to UNRWA, frequent violations and extensive documented damage make it doubtful that 3,200 students will have access to schools at the start of the new school year.
UNRWA stated that it “does not tolerate actions that breach the inviolability and neutrality of its installations.” Of the 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Ein el-Hilweh is the largest and is home to more than 50,000 Palestinians.
JOIN US ON WHAT'SAPP, TO GET INSTANT STATUS UPDATES AND BE IN THE KNOW.
CLICK HERE
