The Lebanese army has successfully completed the disarmament of six Palestinian refugee camps in a major step towards consolidating state control. This landmark agreement, reached with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), marks a significant shift in Lebanese-Palestinian relations, though the challenge of disarming other armed groups remains.
A Historic Disarmament Initiative
In a move with profound implications for Lebanon’s sovereignty and internal security, the Lebanese army has completed the process of receiving heavy and light weapons from six Palestinian refugee camps. This disarmament initiative, which included major camps in Beirut like Shatila and Burj Al-Barajneh, is the result of a deal between the Lebanese government and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The handover of weapons is a crucial step in the Lebanese government’s push to restrict all arms to the state, a policy decision affirmed by the Cabinet.
The process, which began last week, has seen the Lebanese army receive various weapons, including medium-range surface-to-surface missiles and B7 rockets, which were transported away from the camps. This is a significant development, as for decades, the camps have largely operated outside the direct control of Lebanese authorities. The disarmament is being seen by many as a precursor to a much broader and more complex goal: disarming other non-state actors in the country, most notably Hezbollah.
The Complex Background: A Legacy of Conflict and Agreements
The issue of armed Palestinian factions in Lebanon’s refugee camps is deeply rooted in the country’s history. The 1969 Cairo Agreement granted the PLO a high degree of autonomy, effectively giving them legal control over the camps and the right to carry out armed operations against Israel from Lebanese soil. This agreement, however, became a major point of contention and contributed significantly to the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990). In 1987, the Lebanese parliament formally revoked the agreement, but the presence of armed groups persisted, and the camps remained largely outside the state’s jurisdiction.
Over the years, the camps have been a site of internal clashes between rival Palestinian factions, leading to casualties and displacement. This new disarmament initiative, therefore, represents a fundamental shift away from the legacy of the Cairo Agreement and toward a new understanding based on respecting Lebanese sovereignty. However, the current agreement only covers factions under the authority of the PLO. Other major armed groups, like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are not subject to the PLO’s authority, have not handed over their weapons.
The Broader Picture: Challenges and Future Implications
The disarmament of the PLO-affiliated factions, while a major success, is only the first phase of a larger strategy. The head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, Ramez Dimashkieh, stated that negotiations with other groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are ongoing. However, the path forward is complicated by the stance of Hezbollah, the most powerful non-state armed actor in Lebanon. Hezbollah has openly rejected any disarmament plan, viewing its weapons as essential for resistance against Israel. This stark contrast in positions highlights the immense challenges ahead for the Lebanese government’s goal of monopolizing all arms.
Looking to the future, the success of this disarmament could have several positive implications. The Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee suggests this process could lead to a new era of cooperation and potentially pave the way for granting Palestinian refugees in Lebanon more legal and civil rights, such as improved labor laws and property rights. This could transform the camps from militarized zones into functioning civil communities. For Lebanon, this move strengthens the state’s authority and could be a crucial step toward long-term stability and security. The disarmament of the Palestinian camps serves as a key test case for the Lebanese government’s resolve to ultimately bring all armed groups under its control, a move that would be essential for the country’s future stability and its efforts to rebuild after years of internal strife.
This video provides additional context on the disarmament of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Lebanon Begins Disarming Palestinian Groups in Refugee Camps
