Lebanon: Arms Control & Hezbollah’s Weapons – Latest Updates

Lebanese authorities recently completed a fifth phase of collecting weapons from Palestinian camps, a move seen by some as a precursor to a more challenging task: disarming Hezbollah, the powerful armed group, in southern Lebanon. The handover of arms, which took place October 26th in the Ain al-Hilweh camp near Sidon, comes as Lebanon navigates a delicate security landscape and international pressure to assert state control over all armed factions.

The process of collecting Palestinian weapons is not new, but the potential for it to pave the way for disarming Hezbollah elevates its significance. The international community is watching closely to see how Lebanon will approach the more complex issue of Hezbollah’s arsenal north of the Litani River, a key component of a broader plan to confine weapons to legitimate state forces.

The Lebanese Army confirmed in a statement that it “received weapons in Ain al-Hilweh, completing the process of collecting weapons from Palestinian camps in various Lebanese regions, in coordination with concerned Palestinian parties.” The statement added that the collected items included “various types of weapons and ammunition,” which are being examined by military units.

While officials emphasize the importance of disarming all non-state actors, the situation is complicated by ongoing Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon, which operates outside the bounds of existing agreements. The Lebanese Army, however, continues to fulfill its commitments and has recently demonstrated its capabilities to foreign and Arab diplomats during a tour of the area south of the Litani River, according to reports.

Ambassador Ramiz Damashqieh, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, addressed questions about the low-profile nature of the recent arms handover and whether the amount of weaponry collected was substantial. “Some media cameras were present,” he said, “and four trucks of weapons were delivered, containing a significant quantity of arms, including Kornet missiles. However, the operation was logistically somewhat difficult.”

Damashqieh dismissed suggestions that the handover was rushed, stating, “The operation had been under discussion and preparation for two weeks and was not carried out hastily.” He also clarified that the arms collection from Ain al-Hilweh, located north of the Litani River, should not be interpreted as a direct step toward implementing the second phase of the disarmament plan, which focuses on areas north of the river.

“That’s not the case, especially since there are still some weapons south of the Litani River, and we are trying to resolve this issue,” Damashqieh explained. He acknowledged that fully disarming Palestinian factions, including Hamas, remains a challenge. “The goal is to collect all weapons, but the Palestinian weapons are not the major obstacle. They pose a greater threat to the camps themselves.” He added, “Regarding the handover of Hamas’ weapons, things have not progressed despite all our efforts. We are still facing some stubbornness, and perhaps it is required of them.”

Some Lebanese observers view the Palestinian arms handovers as largely symbolic, while the issue of Hezbollah’s weaponry has gained international attention. The Lebanese government is focused on achieving a southern Lebanon free of illegal weapons, but faces significant hurdles.

The Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, which has become a haven for individuals operating outside Lebanese state authority, including armed groups and security cells with external agendas, presents a particular challenge. Lebanon is attempting to navigate a path that avoids being drawn into regional conflicts and becoming a target for military strikes.

A government source indicated that with the possibility of a large-scale Israeli war against Lebanon diminishing, and an extended timeframe for disarming, the Lebanese Army will have an opportunity to establish mechanisms to achieve this goal. However, the source also warned that Israeli strikes are likely to continue, potentially escalating and penetrating deeper into Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The source added that the expanded activity and patrols of international forces in southern Lebanon in recent weeks could also provide cover for the Lebanese Army to solidify its positions and counter claims of hidden weapons caches.

Separately, President Joseph Aoun received Lebanese ambassadors to Mexico, George Al-Khalil, and Kuwait, Ghadi Khoury, and discussed the conditions of the embassies and the importance of strengthening bilateral relations with both countries, as well as attending to the needs of the Lebanese communities residing there.