Army Explains: Wall Near Refugee Camp to Prevent Infiltration of Terrorists

After denunciations following a decision to build a wall near the country's largest Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, the Lebanese army assured that it is aimed at preventing jihadists from infiltrating the country.

“In explanation of what has recently been circulating about the establishment of a separation wall in the vicinity of Ain el-Hilweh, the Army Command assured that there is no decision to establish this wall between the camp and its surrounding,” the Army Command Orientation Directorate said in a statement on Friday.

“What is currently being built is a wall that protects some of the sectors that do not overlook the residential areas and houses inside. It aims to maintain the security of the camp and prevent terrorists from infiltrating to and from it. It also aims to close the tunnels leading to the orchards of the citizens,” added the statement.

It went on to say that “the issue had already been agreed upon during meetings held between officials of the Palestinian factions and the Intelligence Directorate.

“The entire entrances to the camp are open for the passage of people and vehicles, efforts to make them easier are underway,” concluded the statement.

Pictures were posted online showing cranes lifting huge concrete blocks on the western side of Ain al-Hilweh then setting them side by side, as well as a watchtower.

Social media users compared the wall to a controversial separation barrier which Israel has been building in the occupied West Bank since 2002.

The overcrowded and impoverished Ain al-Hilweh camp near the southern coastal city of Sidon has gained notoriety in recent years as a refuge for Muslim extremists and fugitives.

It also saw deadly fighting last year between the Jund al-Sham Islamist group and members of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement.

And in September the army said security forces had arrested a Palestinian refugee suspected of links to the Islamic State group who was in the camp.