Ain el-Hilweh 'Tense' Amid Warning of Vengeance after Sheikh's Murder

Palestinian officials have warned that the refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh could witness assassinations to avenge the murder of the head of the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects.

A political official was quoted by al-Akhbar daily as saying on Wednesday that “the situation in Ain el-Hilweh is tense.”

The attack on Sheikh Orsan Suleiman last week “was a message to all of us,” the official, who was not identified, said.

“The man did not have any dispute with anyone,” he added.

Suleiman was shot in Ain el-Hilweh last Wednesday as he was leaving a memorial service for an aid worker who died during clashes at the Mieh Mieh refugee camp near the southern city of Sidon.

He succumbed to his injuries at Hammoud hospital on Tuesday and was laid to rest at Ain el-Hilweh.

Palestinian security officials also warned that “the next stage could witness assassinations in response to the attack on Arsan.”

“The killer is known,” the officials said.

G.K.

H.K.