Palestinian Refugees and Activists in Lebanon Protest "Israeli" Raid on Aid Flotilla

Thousands of Palestinian refugees and activists held on Monday demonstrations across Lebanon denouncing the "Israeli" deadly raid on the Freedom Flotilla Ship convoy, which was to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Holding Palestinian flags and banners, the protesters marched in the 12 refugee camps scattered throughout the country and held a protest in central Beirut demanding that "Israel" be held accountable by international community for its attack.

"Where is the international community? Where are human rights?" chanted demonstrators in the Al Bass camp, located in the southern coastal city of Tyr where a general strike was called.

Hundreds of protesters assembled in downtown Beirut next to the ESCWA square, calling on "Israeli" embassies in Arab countries to be shut down and "Israeli" ambassadors to be expelled.

The protesters paid tribute to those killed in Monday's raid and urged the UN Security Council to take action against "Israel".

Up to 19 pro-Palestinian activists, most of them reportedly Turkish, were killed when "Israeli" naval forces stormed the aid flotilla in international waters before dawn on Monday.

Abu Khaled Jihad, Hamas leader in Lebanon, urged Arab and Muslim nations to hold demonstrations, saying that the "Israeli" action would only serve to reinforce the resolve of Palestinians.

"What happened will only give us more strength and will encourage us to hold on to our rights," he told AFP.

At the Beddawi refugee camp in the northern city of Tripoli, almost 3,000 people, many of them students, marched along, holding Palestinian and Turkish flags.

"God is great and America is the greatest evil," the demonstrators chanted.

"Give us weapons, give us weapons and send us on to Gaza," they added.

Similar protests were held in refugee camps near the southern coastal city of Sidon.

According to different estimates, Lebanon's 12 Palestinian refugee camps hold between 260,000 and 400,000 refugees. (AFP)