Israeli warplanes strike Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT

Israeli warplanes on Sunday carried out two airstrikes on the Ain al‑Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

There was no immediate information about casualties, while an Anadolu correspondent said ambulances rushed to the targeted area.

Israel has expanded its military campaign in Lebanon since Monday, following limited rocket fire by Hezbollah amid broader regional tensions linked to the war launched by Israel and the US against Iran.

Regional tensions escalated last week when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, reportedly killing more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

The escalation spilled to Lebanon, with Israel and the Hezbollah group exchanging cross-border attacks that have killed nearly 400 people, injuring over 1,100 and displacing thousands since Monday, according to Lebanese figures.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul