The Palestinian Hamas group says that explosions that shook a refugee camp in southern Lebanon have been attributable to {an electrical} short-circuit in a storage space for oxygen bottles used to deal with coronavirus sufferers
BEIRUT — The Palestinian Hamas group mentioned Saturday that explosions that shook a refugee camp in southern Lebanon have been attributable to {an electrical} short-circuit in a storage space for oxygen bottles used to deal with coronavirus sufferers.
Later within the day nevertheless, a Lebanese safety official mentioned that the explosion within the camp was clearly ammunition — not oxygen bottles. The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity consistent with rules, didn’t elaborate.
Lebanon’s state-run Nationwide Information Company had reported late Friday that arms saved for Hamas exploded Friday within the Burj Shamali camp, killing and injuring plenty of individuals. A safety official additionally mentioned the explosions induced casualties however didn’t give a breakdown.
Hamas in a press release Saturday described the explosions as an “incident” including {that a} fireplace within the refugee camp within the southern port metropolis of Tyre induced restricted injury. In a later assertion, the group mentioned that one in every of its members, Hamza Chahine, was killed. It known as on its supporters to participate in his funeral on Sunday afternoon at a mosque within the camp.
Hamas mentioned the oxygen bottles and containers of detergents saved on the camp have been to be distributed as a part of its assist work within the camp.
“Hamas condemns the deceptive media marketing campaign and the unfold of false information that accompanied the incident,” the militant group mentioned in its assertion. It added that reviews about the reason for the blast and the “deaths of dozens” are baseless.
Instantly after the blasts, Lebanese troops deployed across the camp and briefly prevented individuals from coming into or leaving.
NNA mentioned the state prosecutor in southern Lebanon has requested safety businesses and arms specialists to examine the Hamas arms storage web site contained in the camp.
Lebanon is dwelling to tens of hundreds of Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Many stay within the 12 refugee camps which might be scattered across the small Mediterranean nation.