Hand grenade explodes near UNRWA school in Ain el-Helweh

An explosion was heard at dawn inside the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Helweh in the southern city of Sidon, the state-run National News Agency said.

The explosion resulted from “a hand grenade that was hurled near a school belonging to the UNRWA agency in the camp’s al-Fawqani street,” NNA said, adding that the incident caused no casualties.

UNRWA had reported Saturday that another school compound was taken over by armed groups in the camp.

“This brings the total number of schools taken over by armed groups in the camp to eight, risking the start of the school year in time for 5,900 children,” UNRWA warned.

“We are getting credible reports of severe damage to the school buildings and looting of children’s education material and equipment from the schools,” it said.

“UNRWA reiterates its urgent call on all armed groups to immediately vacate its premises in the Ain el-Helweh camp including schools and other service offices. Their presence is a grave violation of the neutrality and safety of U.N. installations and is a serious threat to the education for thousands of Palestine refugee children living in the camp,” UNRWA added.

The camp has recently witnessed days of deadly armed clashes between the secular Fatah Movement and hardline Islamist groups.