Lebanon Receives Weapons Handover from Palestinian Camps, Including ain al-Hilweh
SIDON, Lebanon – The lebanese army commenced the fourth phase of receiving weapons from Palestinian factions within Lebanese camps today, Saturday, according to officials.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) delivered additional weapons from the Beddawi camp in northern Lebanon and Ain al-Hilweh camp in southern Lebanon.abdul Hadi Al-Asadi, director of public relations and media in the Palestinian National Security Forces in Lebanon, stated that “the National security Forces have completed today, Saturday, the delivery of new batches of Palestinian weapons, affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization factions.”
Five trucks of weapons were delivered from Ain al-Hilweh and three from Beddawi, Al-Asadi confirmed. A photographer with France Press reported a meaningful presence of Lebanese army personnel and vehicles surrounding Ain al-Hilweh camp near Sidon, restricting access to the area.
Ain al-Hilweh is Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp and is known to harbor individuals sought by Lebanese authorities. Lebanon hosts over 220,000 Palestinian refugees,many living in overcrowded camps and facing economic hardship,including restrictions on employment.
The handover is part of a plan initiated on August 21st, following an agreement reached during a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Beirut. Previous weapons deliveries from PLO factions occurred in August in Beirut and southern lebanon.
The PLO is primarily comprised of the Fatah movement and does not include groups like Hamas or Islamic Jihad. These non-affiliated factions have not yet announced any weapons surrender to the Lebanese army. The palestinian Authority also does not have full control over the decisions of all armed palestinian groups within the camps, notably Hamas.
The presence of Palestinian faction weaponry was a contributing factor to the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). An existing understanding allows Palestinian factions to maintain security within the camps, with the Lebanese army generally refraining from entering.
This weapons handover coincides with a Lebanese army plan, developed last August, to disarm Hezbollah, beginning with the border region with Israel within three months, according to Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji. The plan involves five stages aimed at consolidating weapons control with official state agencies.
