At least five dead in intense fighting between Palestinian groups in Lebanon

At least five people are dead and seven wounded following clashes in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp near the southern port city of Sidon, Palestinian officials say.

The officials say the fighting broke out after an unknown gunman tried to assassinate Islamist militant Mahmoud Khalil, killing a companion of his instead.

Later, Islamists assassinated a Palestinian general from the Fatah group and three escorts, another Palestinian official says.

Factions used assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers in the overcrowded Ein el-Hilweh camp as ambulances zoomed through its narrow streets to take the wounded to the hospital. Several residents fled the crossfire.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency says two children are among those wounded.

Ein el-Hilweh is notorious for its lawlessness and violence is not uncommon. The UN says it is home to some 55,000 people.

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