Palestinian factions hand over heavy weapons to Lebanese Army

Disarmament deal agreed by Abbas and Aoun

The disarmament initiative follows a May agreement between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in which both sides committed to handing over weapons in Palestinian camps to the Lebanese state. The effort is part of broader Lebanese efforts to disarm all non-state actors in the country.

Fatah begins implementation in Beirut Camp

Implementation of the deal began last week when Fatah, Abbas’s faction, surrendered its weapons in Burj al-Barajneh camp in south Beirut. Fatah is the leading faction within the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

Weapons handed over from three southern camps

On Thursday, the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee announced that heavy weapons from Rashidieh, Al-Bass, and Burj al-Shemali refugee camps were handed over to the Lebanese army. According to the committee, six truckloads of weapons were removed from Rashidieh, and one truck each from the other two camps.

Army receives weapons in Tyre

An AFP photographer witnessed several Lebanese army trucks arriving at a barracks in the city of Tyre, near Rashidieh, following the handover of the weapons.

Abbas's office confirms second phase of handover

In Ramallah, Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesperson for President Abbas, confirmed that the second batch of PLO weapons had been delivered to the Lebanese army from the three camps, in line with the May agreement.

Hamas and Jihad not part of the deal

It is important to note that Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two Palestinian groups aligned with Hezbollah and not part of the PLO, did not participate in the handover. By tradition, the Lebanese army does not enter Palestinian camps, where factions such as Fatah and Hamas manage their own security.

Context: Lebanon’s broader disarmament plan

Lebanon hosts approximately 222,000 Palestinian refugees, according to UNRWA. The disarmament move comes amid increased US pressure and growing concerns over a potential escalation with Israel. The Lebanese government has tasked the army with drafting a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, as tensions persist along the southern border.