Setting a Date for the Withdrawal of Weapons from Palestinian Camps in Lebanon

23 May 2025, 9:37 AM

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الجيش اللبناني - جنوب لبنان - سحب سلاح المخيمات الفلسطينية في لبنان - Palestinian Camps in Lebanon — lebarmy.gov.lb

Beirut – Profile News | In a move described as pivotal, Lebanese and Palestinian officials announced on Friday an agreement to begin the process of withdrawing weapons from Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, starting mid-June. The decision follows the approval of an executive plan during the official visit of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Beirut.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), citing an unnamed Lebanese government source, the implementation will start in Beirut-based camps and later expand to other camps across the country. The announcement was made following the first meeting of a newly formed Lebanese-Palestinian joint committee, which was established on Wednesday to address refugee affairs.

Official Support and Acceleration of Implementation Mechanisms

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who attended the meeting, welcomed President Abbas’s decision to address the issue of arms inside the camps. Salam described the move as a positive step toward strengthening Lebanese-Palestinian relations and improving the humanitarian, economic, and social conditions of Palestinian refugees.

He stressed the importance of swiftly implementing practical steps by establishing a clear mechanism and defined timeline to ensure a structured and peaceful disarmament process. Salam added that the Palestinian cause no longer relies on weapons within refugee camps, but rather draws its strength from the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine, global demonstrations in support of Gaza, and the rulings of international legal bodies condemning Israeli practices.

Parallel Steps to Improve Refugee Rights

The agreement also includes a plan to enhance the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, in parallel with the weapons withdrawal initiative. This approach is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving stability in the camps and promoting community integration.

The parties agreed to increase joint meetings in the coming weeks to follow up on the implementation directives, coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition in handling this sensitive issue.

These developments come amid growing concerns that the presence of weapons in the camps could become a source of internal tensions—both among Palestinian groups and between Palestinians and Lebanese communities. The disarmament of Palestinian camps has long been a contentious issue in Lebanon, with the official stance consistently emphasizing that all arms should be under the control of the state.