Lebanese army receives 8 truckloads of weapons from Palestinian camps
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Lebanese army received on Saturday eight truckloads of weapons from Palestinian refugee camps, part of a government plan to place all arms under state control.
Military and Palestinian officials said three trucks were collected from the Beddawi camp in northern Lebanon, while five came from Ain al-Hilweh camp in the south. The handover involved the Fatah movement and other factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Abdel Hadi al-Asadi, spokesperson for the Palestinian National Security Forces in Lebanon, confirmed the delivery of new batches of weapons belonging to PLO factions.
Ambassador Ramiz Dimashqiya, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, called the Beddawi handover “a serious and ongoing effort,” adding that talks are continuing with other Palestinian groups to secure further transfers.
The process began on Aug. 21 in Beirut’s Burj al-Barajneh camp, followed by Rashidieh, al-Bass, and Burj al-Shamali camps in Tyre on Aug. 28. The latest stage reflects the army’s broader five-phase plan to implement the government’s recent decision to disarm Hezbollah.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji told AFP that the plan aims to secure border areas with Israel within three months and ensure that weapons are restricted to state institutions.
Ain al-Hilweh, Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp, is home to several individuals wanted by Lebanese authorities. The country hosts more than 220,000 Palestinian refugees, most living in overcrowded camps with limited access to jobs and services.
Reporting by Taysir Mohammed