John Minchillo

LEBANON: Zone of Unlaw

Ain al-Hilweh, Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp, smolders near the southern city of Sidon. Within approximately one square mile over 70,000 inhabitants weather political instability, violence, massive unemployment, and bleak prospects for the future of their children.

The area is popularly called the “zone of unlaw,” referring to the Lebanese Army’s restriction from entering the camp. Militant factions, some new, many old, clash in defense of the streets they control. Targeted assassinations and street fighting can erupt at anytime, escalating violence within minutes.

Although militants occasionally engage the Army’s checkpoints, most aggression is directed inward. Caught in a cycle of violence instigated by outside political forces, militants approach their clashes with an air of professionalism. This is life for the armed in Ain al-Hilweh. The rest are caught in the crossfire.

Guards of Ain al-Hilweh's Fatah Kefah al-Muslah, or Fatah Military Struggle, pose with their weapons. Arms are a way of life in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp.(Left to Right) Abu Kifah Rafah, 35, SyrianAlaa Rifaee, 24, Tripoli, LebanonIbrahim Abu Nidal, 32, al-Hilweh, LebanonAmeeh Ibrahim , 21, al-Hilweh, Lebanon
   
Munir Maqdah (in fatigues), 60, general of Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs in al-Hilweh, stands in an operating room of the community hospital he had built. The hospital is fully operational with doctors, nurses, and advanced medical equipment.
   
A boy plays soccer beside a bullet-ridden wall in Ain al-Hilweh, Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp. Signs of conflict abound in the camp, with bullet and shrapnel holes visible on every street.
     
  
Muhammad Hijazi, 30, born in Ain al-Hilweh, shows off his tattoos. A friend inscribed "my family in my heart, so I'll never forget you."
   
A plastic reclamation business lies below Lebanese winter storm clouds. The camp floods consistently under heavy rains.
   
Hiteem, Ain al-Hilweh's lower main street. It is named after a street in Palestine and is controlled by the Islamist militant group Osbat al-Ansar.
     
  
Bassam Zidani, 39, of Lebanon, handles his customized assault rifle. The five-point tattoo represents his group of five closest friends. Three died in battle while one left the camp to work on a farm in the south. The tearing eye represents his loss.
   
A woman walks along Baraksat, al-Hilweh's main street. The area is under control of Mahmoud Abdel Hamid Issa, or "Leeno", 39, General of the Fatah Kefah al-Muslah, or Fatah Military Struggle. The camp is divided by areas sometimes as small as a hundred meters.
   
Abu Arab, 39, mans a checkpoint of Fatah Kefah al-Muslah, or Fatah Military Struggle. The checkpoint lies within a few yards of the Lebanese Army's guard post.
     
  
Posters of deceased Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are everywhere in al-Hilweh. In homes, on street corners, and in restaurants, his image is an ever-present reminder of the Palestinian - Israeli struggle.
   
A fabric store in the souq, or market, controlled by General Munir Maqdah of Fatah al-Aqsa.
   
Mahmoud Dahabal, 15, born in Ain al-Hilweh, loads filtered water jugs into a scooter. He has worked as a delivery boy for two years.
     
  
Ayat Zouhair, 5, born in Ain al-Hilweh, waits for her parents outside elementary school. Despite conflicts in the camp, a contingent of teachers and doctors work to improve their children's future.
   
School children play on indoor swingsets after classes in al-Hilweh. There are few open spaces for the children and the few that exist are at risk for attacks by factions.
   
A pet shop on the street of Hiteem sells goldfish. Despite the economic isolation of the camp, money flowing in from militant groups abroad redistributes enough to keep businesses alfoat in various degrees.
     
  
A pre-schooler colors in her book during class in al-Hilweh. The school caters to the needs of the many children born in the camp, providing a much needed oasis from the crowding and dangers of the camp.
   
Abu Yasser Orabi, 57, cleans his AK47 in the Fatah al-Aqsa, or Fatah Special Foces, compound. Born in Gaza and immigrated to Ain al-Hilweh in 1975.
   
A wall of assualt rifles hangs in the bodyguard's quarters of Munir Maqdah's home. Maqdah is the general of Fatah al-Aqsa, or Fatah Special Forces.
     
  
Homes in al-Hilweh are often decorated with images of family members, important leaders, and symbols of devotion towards Palestine.
   
Bodyguards of Munir Maqdah, general of Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs in al-Hilweh, patrol the streets before venturing into a rival faction's area. Constant vigilance and heavy arms on the street are necessary precautions.
   
Om Mohammad Hijazi, 56, born in Ain al-Hilweh, stands in her blown-out furniture store. An explosive devastated her shop in Decemeber 2010. It is believed her store was targeted because her husband is a Fatah officer.
     
  
Friday prayers at Baraksat Mosque. The sermon concerned the welfare of children, forgiveness, and peace.
   
Drawings of crying faces look over the spot where a militant in Islamist group Jund-as-Sham was killed by RPG fire. Imad Yassine, founder and leader of the group, was expelled to the edge of the camp in 2003. The attacks were in retaliation for the killing of a Fatah member.