In a pivotal step towards establishing peace and control over military assets within Lebanon, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to a comprehensive plan to disarm Palestinian factions, starting mid-June.
The Roadmap to Disarmament
The decision emerged from discussions in Beirut’s Baabda presidential palace with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun. Both leaders committed firmly to the principle that weapons in Lebanon should only be held by state authorities. As stated in a joint declaration, “the era of weapons outside the authority of the Lebanese state is over.”
Disarmament Implementation Phases
Reporting by local newspapers like L’Orient Le Jour outlines the phased approach beginning in Beirut’s Palestinian refugee camps, followed by the Bekaa Valley and northern camps in July. The final phases will extend to southern camps, details of which remain to be scheduled.
A Historic Context
This move intertwines with historical and contemporary contexts. Post the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Palestinians took refuge in Lebanon, and resistance groups like Fatah and Hamas emerged in refugee camps, persisting due to socio-political marginalization. Today, the disarmament initiative aims to reshape Lebanon’s political landscape, especially after Hezbollah’s reduced influence due to military setbacks in 2024.
A Broader Objective
Heightened international interest, especially from the US, presses Lebanon to consolidate weapon control under state supervision. Lebanese President Aoun emphasized the strategic dismantling of several Palestinian military training camps, showcasing a shift towards national security priorities.
Palestinians in these camps still lack essential civil rights and opportunities, driving many to join armed factions. The disarmament initiative could redefine political representation and socioeconomic opportunities for Palestinians in Lebanon, paving the way for a new era in Lebanese-Palestinian relations.
According to Middle East Eye, this agreement is seen as part of a broader regional security context, reflecting a new chapter in Lebanon’s quest for stability and governance.
