The ceasefire is no longer respected in northern Lebanon, as the army and militants began to exchange heavy fire Thursday afternoon, army officials confirmed.

According to witnesses, heavy machinegun and rocket fire was heard and seen from the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, prompting speculations that the Lebanese troops prepare an assault. 

The Fatah al-Islam militants accused the army of breaking the truce and warned them they will pursue their goal at any cost, even if they will have to pay the supreme price.

In response, Lebanese officials said the army began to fire “at a source of fire” which targeted one of their positions. The statement came after Prime Minister Fouad Siniora threatened its government will take any necessary measures to “root out and strike at terrorism” and slammed the so-called purpose of the extremist group.

Siniora said the terrorist organization is using the “suffering and the struggle of the Palestinian people” as a cover for its violent and ruthless acts.

“The Fatah al-Islam gang is using Palestinian civilians as human shields, firing on humanitarian convoys and has even confiscated ambulances. We hold Fatah al-Islam responsible for everything that...might take place if it resumes attacks on our positions and continues to use Palestinian civilians as human shields," the army stated.

The fighting erupted Sunday outside the refugee camp after several Lebanese soldiers were shot-dead by snipers that took positions on rooftops near the camp. Army vehicles were also targeted, dozens of soldiers being injured or killed.
 
In the following days bomb attacks rocked Beirut and other cities, one person dying in the terrorist attacks. Also, thousands of other refugees across Lebanon protested against the military’s actions which wounded and killed dozens, despite a recent army report which said only “one dead civilian and 19 wounded others have been evacuated by relief works agencies.”