Palestinian group blames Israel for blast at Lebanon base that killed five members

A blast at a base close to the Lebanese-Syrian border belonging to a Palestinian militant group has killed five and wounded several more.

The blast happened in the early hours of Wednesday at a site belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) in the Lebanese village of Qousaya.

The PFLP-GC accused Israel of being behind the explosion, and announced that five of its members had died and at least 10 others were wounded. Reports said some of those injured were transferred to a hospital in a Bekaa Valley town.

Images of the aftermath of the blast were shared widely on social media.

قام العدو الصهيوني فجر اليوم بغارة جوية استهدفت أحد مواقع فدائي #الجبهة_الشعبية لتحرير #فلسطين القيادة العامة في #لبنان #قوسايا على الحدود اللبنانية السورية، والتي أسفرت عن وقوع خمسة شهداء وعدد من الجرحى إضافة لخسائر مادية في الموقع

خبر عادي يمرّ مرور الكرام على وسائل الإعلام… pic.twitter.com/nE5E0x9TnS

— Lebanese Observer (@LebAct1) May 31, 2023

A Palestinian security source told Reuters the deaths were the result of mines exploding as the PFLP members were moving them. Two Lebanese security sources said they could not confirm the blast was the result of an Israeli strike.

Israel has denied any involvement in the blast.

Quoting senior Israeli officials, Yedioth Ahronoth said the Israeli army had not carried out any attack in Lebanon.

Despite this, the PFLP-GC has said it will "retaliate" to the alleged Israeli assault. 

Since a 2006 war fought between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have been rare. However, Israeli jets very often use Lebanese airspace to strike targets within Syria.

Founded in 1968, the Damascus-based PFLP-GC played an active role during the Lebanese 1975-1990 civil war. The group are considered close to the Syrian regime.

The PFLP-GC's largest base in Lebanon is in Naameh, a coastal town south of Beirut.

(The New Arab, Reuters)