Hamas calls on Lebanon to stop building wall around refugee camp

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement has called on the Lebanese authorities to stop building a containment wall around Ein Al-Hilwa Refugee Camp, Quds Press reported yesterday. According to Hamas, Lebanon has “mistaken the time and place” regarding the wall.

The movement’s spokesman in Lebanon called on the authorities to “launch a dialogue with the leaders of the Palestinian factions about the reality and future of Palestinian existence in Lebanon.” Ali Baraka added that Hamas rejects any policy to isolate the refugee camp. “Building the wall is bad for Palestinian-Lebanese relations,” he insisted, “and harms the interests of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.”

Baraka expressed his sadness that the Lebanese authorities are still treating the refugees “from a security perspective” and called for a comprehensive dialogue with the leaders of the Palestinian factions to sort out the issue.

“The Palestinian refugee camps have been encircled since 1996 and have certain entrances where Lebanese security checkpoints are placed,” he explained. “This wall will not prevent people getting into the camps.” He pointed out that Hamas has been working since 2013 as part of a united leadership because it views the stability of Lebanon as being in the Palestinians’ interest. 450,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon

The Lebanese army has started building the wall to stop what it calls “terrorists” from getting in and out of the camp.

There are more than 450,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, of which more than 80,000 live in Ein Al-Hilweh outside Sidon. In recent years, thousands more Palestinian refugees have entered Lebanon from Syria.

All of the refugee camps in Lebanon are overcrowded and lack basic infrastructure. Refugees are banned by the Lebanese government from owning property and working in around 70 occupations outside the camps.