Lebanese army sinks boats of Palestinians fleeing from camp

Last updated at 17:03 24 May 2007

Lebanese troops have sunk two small boats carrying Islamic militants who were trying to flee a besieged Palestinian refugee camp via the Mediterranean sea, a senior military official said today.

The official said the incident occurred on Tuesday and all militants on the boats were killed. He did not specify how many died in the incident.

He spoke under customary conditions of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

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lebanon bombardment of palestine refugee camp hamas

Refugees carry their children and possessions in their arms as they flee for safety from the Palestinian refugee camp

The refugees have been under bombardment by the Lebanese army for over a week

"They were trying to flee from the coast next to the Nahr el-Bared camp," the official said. "They took advantage of a lull in the fighting Tuesday and tried to escape. There were no survivors."

The official said soldiers with heavy machine guns blasted the two rubber dinghies on which the militants were attempting to escape.

A truce in the fighting between Lebanese troops surrounding the Palestinian refugee camp and Fatah Islam fighters barricaded inside took effect Tuesday afternoon to allow thousands of civilians to escape the battles.

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More than 70 people have died already as the Lebanese army claims to have sunk a boat containing refugees heading for safety

The fighting which broke out Sunday have killed some 50 combatants and many civilians.

The army is currently tightening its grip around the north Lebanon camp, which lies on the coast next to the port city of Tripoli.

The government has issued an ultimatum to the militants - many of whom are believed to be Arabs from other countries - to surrender or face a military assault.