A number of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon have experienced heightened security tensions since early February, with the Lebanese government alleging that Palestinians and Islamists belonging to armed groups are harboring in them. Sources among Hamas' leadership, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed Al-Monitor that Hamas is in constant contact with high-ranking Lebanese officials to try to head off security actions and other military clashes inside the camps.

Tensions took a turn for the worse May 5, when gunmen killed Moujahed Balous, a Hezbollah member, in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, in south Lebanon. Rumors circulated in Beirut that Balous' assassination was an organized attempt to eradicate any pro-Hezbollah or pro-Syrian regime presence in the camp, but Maj. Gen. Munir Maqdah, head of the Palestinian force charged with preserving order in the camp, said May 7 that the reason behind the assassination was unknown and that no suspect had been identified. The rising tensions were also exacerbated by the growth in the camps of armed Islamist organizations — among them Asbat al-Ansar, Jund al-Sham, Fatah al-Islam and Shabab al-Muslim — which has led to armed clashes between them and the Lebanese army. 

Ahmad Abdul Hadi, deputy director of Hamas’ political relations in Lebanon, told Al-Monitor, “Hamas is aware of the dangerous situation in the region and of its repercussions in Lebanon and in the Palestinian camps. This requires exceptional efforts to achieve two goals: first, to spare the camps from any security repercussions and stop them from turning into a regional pawn; second, the camps should not be a reason or a source of any security tension that threatens Lebanon and its civil peace.” Abdul Hadi further stated, “Security inside the Palestinian camps is an integral part of Lebanon’s security. [Hamas] is also convinced that there is a double conspiracy — to eliminate the refugee cause, on one hand, and to undermine Lebanon’s security and stability, on the other.”

There are 12 refugee camps in Lebanon, where half a million Palestinians live under harsh conditions. Palestinians constitute 11% of Lebanon’s population, but are banned from working in more than 70 types of jobs. In the past few months, part of Hamas' intensified contacts with Lebanese officials has been to discuss the suffering of camp residents as well as to seek ways to ease tensions between the army and the armed groups. In February, the movement launched the Stop Incitement and Violence campaign, as certain parties, which Hamas refused to identify by name, allegedly tried to involve Palestinians in Lebanon's conflicts and turn the refugee camps into a safe haven for themselves and sources of violence.