A deadly Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, according to Lebanese authorities. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, targeted the Ain al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee settlement in Lebanon, located near the coastal city of Sidon. Israel claimed it struck a Hamas training compound, but the militant group vehemently denied the allegations, calling them ‘lies’ and asserting that there are no military installations in the camps. An AFP correspondent reported scenes of chaos, with firefighters battling blazes and gunmen firing shots to clear the way for ambulances. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed the casualties, stating that ambulances were still transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. The Israeli military released a video of the strike, claiming it targeted terrorists operating in a Hamas training compound. However, Hamas countered that the site was an open sports field frequented by youths. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel and militant groups in Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. Lebanon hosts approximately 222,000 Palestinian refugees, and by longstanding convention, the Lebanese army does not enter the camps, leaving security to Palestinian factions. The strike has further strained relations in the region, with Lebanon’s government under pressure to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas.