Disarmament and Rights amidst the visit of President Abbas

May 2025

Palestinian President Mahmoud ‘Abbās

Palestinians in Lebanon are eagerly anticipating the upcoming visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The visit, planned to take place on 19 May comes at a critical moment in ongoing efforts to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The visit will focus on the future of the Palestinian refugee presence in Lebanon and a potential deal to grant Palestinians increased civil rights in exchange for the disarmament of the myriad armed groups in the Palestinian camps.  With the Lebanese state having now removed Palestinian weapons outside the camps and the incremental process of addressing Hezbollah’s weapons ongoing in line with UNSCR 1701, the rationale to finally address the question of arms within the camps in order to reassert Lebanese sovereignty is increasingly clear. 

Lebanese stakeholders including Hezbollah have confirmed their commitment to disarm from the South Litani Sector.  The disarmament of the Palestinian camps in Lebanon has therefore a top priority, especially the camps in south Lebanon.  While the Palestinian political scene is divided over the issue of arms, regional developments might force a breakthrough, reenforcing the stance of President Abbas who has repeatedly said that “Palestinian arms in Lebanon are a Lebanese sovereignty matter”. The Palestinian political leadership has repeatedly expressed their commitment to the sovereignty of Lebanon including a stark assurance to be an active player in the disarmament process. The disarmament of Palestinian camps in Lebanon is also perceived as a preventive measure to avert further Israeli attacks on Lebanon which continue to target Palestinian as well as Hezbollah figures. The expected visit of President Abbas comes at a critical time as the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) within the Government of Lebanon continues to advocate for the importance of the provision of rights for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon simultaneously with the plans to disarm Palestinian factions in the camps. 

Pigeons fly over the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon

cc: Hisham Ghuzlan and Gustavo Barbosa

Before the most recent conflict with Israel, the LPDC, Lebanese security actors and the Palestinian political leadership in Lebanon reached initial agreement on specific initiatives related to weapons. In 2023, 800 missiles belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command (PFLP-GC) were removed from Baddawi camp to Syria. The following year, the PFLP GC and another armed group Fatah Intifada handed over their military presence outside the camps to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). 

While the political and security situation remains fragile, fears within the Palestinian community related to the community’s vulnerability as evidenced by its history have become increasingly politicised, especially given the lack of perceived progress on the issue of Palestinian civil rights in Lebanon. During the last few years, the LPDC has built on cumulative efforts to achieve a breakthrough on this matter and has issued a charter of rights and duties. with discussions on disarmament are progressing. On the eve of President Abbas’s visit it is clear there is a real opportunity here – for Lebanon, for its Palestinian refugee population and broader regional stability.

The Palestinian camps in Lebanon and Palestinians more broadly require transparent and accountable governance arrangements and better economic opportunities to ensure not only the security and stability of the country, but also a better future for Palestinians residing in Lebanon.  Lebanese sovereignty and security and Palestinian safety and dignity are two sides of the same coin.