Israeli Airstrike Kills 13 in Ain el-Hilweh Refugee Camp, Israel Claims Hamas Target

Deadly Airstrike Hits Ain el-Hilweh Camp

An Israeli airstrike on the evening of November 18, 2025, struck the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, located on the outskirts of the coastal city of Sidon in southern Lebanon. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people and left several others injured, according to reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry and state media.

The drone strike reportedly hit a car in the parking lot of the Khalid bin Al-Walid Mosque within the densely populated camp. This incident marks the deadliest strike on Lebanon since a ceasefire with Hezbollah was established approximately a year ago in November 2024.

Conflicting Claims on Target

The Israeli military, in a statement, asserted that the airstrike targeted a Hamas training compound. Israel claimed this facility was being used by Hamas for 'training and exercises to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel.' The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also stated that 'measures were taken to reduce the chance of civilian casualties, including the use of precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence information.'

However, Hamas vehemently denied Israel's allegations, dismissing them as 'pure fabrication and lies.' Hamas stated that the strike instead hit an open sports field regularly utilized by young men from the camp, emphasizing that there are 'no military installations inside refugee camps in Lebanon.'

Aftermath and Context

Following the strike, ambulances rushed to the scene to transport the casualties to hospitals. Reports indicated that paramedics searched for human remains amidst burnt cars, broken glass, and debris that littered the ground. Some sources noted that Hamas fighters in the area reportedly prevented journalists from accessing the site.

The Ain el-Hilweh camp is recognized as the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, housing an estimated population of nearly 80,000 people within an area of just 1.5 square kilometers. This incident occurs amidst ongoing tensions and follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that came into effect in November 2024.