Four dead at funeral of Hamas member killed in Lebanon explosion

One of those wounded in the clashes is Zaher Jabarin, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau.

 Masked Palestinians hold their guns during the funeral of Palestinian police officer Tayseer Issa, who died overnight during a shootout with Israeli security forces, in the West Bank city of Jenin (photo credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)
Masked Palestinians hold their guns during the funeral of Palestinian police officer Tayseer Issa, who died overnight during a shootout with Israeli security forces, in the West Bank city of Jenin
(photo credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)

Armed clashes broke out on Sunday between Hamas and Fatah members in the Burj al-Shemali Palestinian refugee camp in Tyre, Lebanon, Lebanese media reported.

Four were killed and at least four others were wounded, some critically, in the clashes. They were rushed to Hiram, Jabal Amel and the Italian Lebanese hospitals.

One of those wounded in the clashes is Zaher Jabarin, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau, according to Palestinian media.

The violence broke out during the funeral of Hamas member Hamza Ibrahim Shahine, who died in Friday's explosion at the refugee camp, caused by a fire at a Hamas weapons depot.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported an unspecified number of deaths from the explosion, but local media and civil defense workers on scene said there had been no fatalities.

 Funeral of Palestinian Osama Deeij in the northern Gaza Strip, August 2021 (credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/REUTERS)
Funeral of Palestinian Osama Deeij in the northern Gaza Strip, August 2021 (credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/REUTERS)

Unknown assailants with machine guns reportedly targeted the large crowd of men and women attending the funeral at the Palestinian camp.

In addition to Hamas and Fatah members, a large Hezbollah delegation also attended the funeral. The delegation included Hassan Izz-Al-Din, who is wanted by the US government for the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985.

The clashes come as tensions between Hamas and Fatah are rising due to the Palestinian municipal elections taking place in the West Bank. 

Despite Hamas' boycott of the elections, Hamas-affiliated candidates contested the elections and won seats in several councils, as some Palestinians described the results as a “major defeat” for Fatah.

This is a developing story.