On May 20, the Lebanese army began their fight with the militants from Fatah al-Islam in Nahr al-Bared.  Since the conflict began, over 140 Lebanese soldiers have died, 100 militants, and about forty were civilians.  While 40,000 Palestinian refugees fled Nahr al-Bared and went to nearby camps, eighty civilians have remained.  Those who remained are mostly wives and children of the remaining militants. 

After three months of heavy bombing, all that remains of Nahr al-Bared are tunnels and niches beneath piles of rubble.  Since the militants refuse to surrender, the Lebanese army continues to bombard the camp.  Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Army recently reached a temporary cease-fire agreement to allow the families of the militants to evacuate the camp.  This agreement is not an official cease of fighting but rather provides the remaining civilians an opportunity to leave the camp.  Officers in the Lebanon Army view this agreement by the Fatah Islam as a signal that the end of the fighting is near.

Lebanese officials do not believe that Fatah al-Islam is capable of fighting back from their current position.  Rather, army officials speculate when Fatah al-Islam will be completely destroyed in Nahr al-Bared.  This agreement is seen by the Lebanese officials as the militants’ last opportunity to evacuate their family members before the end of the fighting. 

Also, Prosecutor General Saeed Mirza charged 107 members of Fatah al-Islam in custody with terrorism.  Mirza also charged an undisclosed number of individuals at large with terrorism.  In addition to Lebanese, there were also Palestinians, Saudis and Syrians.  If convicted of terrorism, the individuals could face the death penalty.

For more information please see:
The Daily Star:  “Mediators await word from Fatah al-Islam on evacuation”  24 August 2007. 

Al Jazeera:  “Fatah al-Islam seeks Lebanon truce”  22 August 2007. 

BBC:  “More Lebanese army raids on camp”  22 August 2007. 

Gulf Times:  “Lebanon army agrees to let families move out of camp”  22 August 2007. 

The Daily Star:  “Army steps up siege of Nahr al Bared, former general assures militants are ‘doomed’”  21 August 2007. 

International Herald Tribune:  “Lebanon’s military agrees to militants’ request to allow their families leave camp”  21 August 2007. 

International Herald Tribune:  “Lebanon charges over 100 people suspected of battling army with terrorism”  18 August 2007.