Lebanese Army Collects Weapons from Palestinian Camps in Tyre

The Lebanese Army has commenced collecting weapons from Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon, specifically from Rashidieh, El-Buss, and Burj al-Shamali near Tyre, as part of a broader government plan to disarm all non-state armed groups and place weapons under state control by the end of 2025. This effort follows a cabinet decision led by President Joseph Aoun and is supported by a U.S.-brokered proposal aimed at consolidating the state's monopoly on arms after the 2024 Israel–Hezbollah war. Palestinian factions, including Fatah, have actively participated in handing over a range of weaponry, including heavy arms such as Grad rockets and mortars, while the Palestinian Authority has affirmed the continuation of these operations in other camps. The Lebanese government’s initiative also seeks to address conditions in the camps through a joint committee with Palestinian leadership, emphasizing respect for Lebanese sovereignty and law. Hezbollah, however, strongly opposes the disarmament plan, denouncing it as serving Israeli interests, and its allied ministers have boycotted cabinet sessions related to the issue. This disarmament drive is viewed as a critical test for Beirut's ability to enforce control over arms within its territory and is aligned with longstanding international demands for militia disarmament, though political and sectarian challenges remain significant.