Report: Palestinian Forces in Ain el-Hilweh Reject Confrontation with Islamists to Avoid Bloodshed

The disputes between the various Palestinian factions in the southern Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh have been exploited by Islamist forces in the area in order to impose their control over the camp, reported Ad Diyar daily on Sunday.

Palestinian forces had informed Lebanese security forces that they refuse to engage in a confrontation with the Islamists in order to avoid bloodshed and casualties among its residents.

They also said that they do not have the means to confront the Islamist forces, voicing their readiness however to cooperate with official powers to “isolate the terrorists.”

Media reports had in recent days revealed that fugitives Ousama Mansour and Shadi al-Mawlawi are currently residing in Ain el-Hilweh.

The daily An Nahar reported on Sunday that contacts are ongoing to study how to arrest Mawlawi, mulling the idea of carrying out a swift security operation to apprehend him.

Mansour and Mawlawi are reportedly recruiting youth to join al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front by running an operation cell in the refugee camp.

The two fugitives have been charged in absentia with belonging to an armed terrorist group in order to stage terrorist acts.

M.T.