Hamas Marks Anniversary, Calls for Ain Al-Hilweh Security
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Lebanon marked the 29th anniversary of the group’s founding with calls for implementing a Palestinian plan to boost security in the southern refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh.
Ahmad Abdul Hadi, the deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau in Lebanon, confirmed that the Higher Palestinian Security Committee had submitted a new security plan to Lebanon’s political leadership.
Abdul Hadi was speaking at a gathering at the Khaled Ibn al-Walid Mosque in Ain al-Hilweh late Sunday to mark Hamas’ founding. Leaders from various Lebanese, Palestinian and Islamic factions attended the event.
Abdul Hadi thanked the parties that have backed the Palestinians’ rejection of a plan to build a controversial wall around Ain al-Hilweh, particularly Speaker Nabih Berri.
He said the new Palestinian security plan was still being discussed by “our Lebanese brothers.”
The new plan calls for building an electric fence around Ain al-Hilweh instead of surrounding the camp with a concrete wall. It also calls for granting armed fugitives safe passage to leave the camp, a security source told The Daily Star.
Work on the wall was halted in November after the project was condemned by several factions in the camp.
The spiritual leader of Islamic factions in the camp, Sheikh Jamal Khattab, also reiterated the Palestinian factions‘ refusal to allow a concrete wall to be built around Ain al-Hilweh.
He also underlined the need for Palestinian factions themselves to bear responsibility for security in the camp and address any breaches.
The deputy leader of Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya, Bassam Hammoud, said Palestinian measures should be adopted to improve the security situation in the camps.
He emphasized the need to “not allow a wedge to be driven between the Lebanese Army and the camps.”
The three speakers also paid tribute to Hamas and the Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation.
Abdul Hadi said Hamas would continue to confront the Zionist project of Judaizing Al-Quds, expanding settlements and liquidating the right of return.
He said Hamas would “teach the enemy a lesson they will never forget” if Israeli forces launch any attack on the Gaza Strip.
Abdul Hadi said the Palestinians refuse to be tool for those who seek to promote sectarian strife.
He also thanked the Lebanese Army for its role in maintaining security.
