The Lebanese army on Saturday began implementing the fourth phase of its plan to disarm Palestinian camps, starting with Beddawi in northern Lebanon. The operation is set to last for three days, after which the military will move to Ain al-Hilweh camp in the south.
The Lebanese authorities and the Palestinian Fatah movement have already completed three phases of the plan. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) factions were involved in the process, while Hamas has so far not shown any cooperation.
Ambassador Ramez Dimechkie, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, said the decision is “clear and firm in asserting the authority of the state over all Lebanese territories. The camps are not outside this framework.”
He added that dialogue with Hamas regarding the details of the handover mechanisms is ongoing.
Dimechkie explained that the committee expects the disarmament file to be closed completely by the end of this month, in a crucial step toward enhancing security and stability.
From Burj al-Barajneh to the North
The operation, overseen by the army and the relevant committee, officially began in August, starting in Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
It then extended to the Rashidieh, Al-Bass, and Burj al-Shamali camps in Tyre, located south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. The operation then returned to Burj al-Barajneh again.
This plan is a direct result of an agreement between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on May 21, regarding the process to limit weapons possession to the state.
According to the government's plan, the operation is being conducted in three phases, beginning in Beirut, passing through Tyre’s camps, and finally reaching Beddawi and Ain al-Hilweh in the north and south, respectively. Ain al-Hilweh is seen as the most sensitive part of the operation due to the camp’s size and its complex security environment.
Ain al-Hilweh: The Hardest Test
In recent years, the camp, which lies near Sidon, has witnessed bloody clashes between armed factions. According to analysts, the success of the state in collecting weapons from Ain al-Hilweh would be a decisive indicator of its ability to impose its sovereignty.
As for Beddawi camp in northern Lebanon, it is seen as less tense, but remains an integral part of the government's comprehensive plan to collect weapons from all camps.
Lebanon hosts Palestinian refugees in 12 main camps. Both Lebanese and Palestinian communities hope that the completion of the disarmament process will strengthen state authority and create a more stable environment, paving the way for a comprehensive approach to civil rights for refugees.
