Aoun Confirms Mid-June Disarmament in Three Palestinian Camps in Beirut

Disarmament of Palestinian armed groups in Lebanon is set to begin in mid-June, starting with three camps located in the capital city of Beirut. The timeline was confirmed by President Joseph Aoun, following the first official meeting of a newly formed joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee tasked with overseeing the disarmament process.

This development stems from a recent agreement reached between Lebanese authorities and Palestinian representatives aimed at consolidating state control across Lebanese territory. The initiative represents a significant step toward addressing the long-standing issue of armed factions operating independently within Palestinian refugee camps.

According to a Lebanese government source, the disarmament strategy will initially focus on camps situated in Beirut. Once the first phase is underway, the plan will be extended to additional camps throughout the country in a phased approach. The joint committee has been established to coordinate efforts, manage logistics, and ensure that all parties adhere to the agreed timeline.

Lebanon is home to approximately 222,000 Palestinian refugees, based on data from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). These individuals primarily reside in 12 officially recognized camps, many of which face severe overcrowding and limited infrastructure. Most of the refugee population in Lebanon descends from Palestinians who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, coinciding with the establishment of the state of Israel.

Historically, various armed factions have operated within these camps, often outside the control of the Lebanese state. This longstanding dynamic has posed challenges to national security and governance. The planned disarmament seeks to address these concerns while reinforcing the role of Lebanese institutions in managing security affairs.

While implementation of the disarmament initiative remains in its early stages, the agreement signals an effort to establish a more unified security framework. The success of the Beirut phase is expected to influence the pace and structure of subsequent phases in other regions of the country. Further meetings between Lebanese and Palestinian leaders are expected as the process unfolds.