Palestinian Militias Reluctantly Disarm in Lebanese Camps—Is Sovereignty Within Lebanon’s Reach?

In a rare move that tests Lebanon’s fragile sovereignty, Palestinian factions in the Ein el-Hilweh and Beddawi refugee camps have surrendered truckloads of weapons to Lebanese authorities. This slow-moving disarmament effort—the largest since it began last month—reveals not only the complex power dynamics within Lebanon but also the ongoing national security challenge posed by armed groups operating outside state control. The significance of these transfers cannot be overstated. Ein el-Hilweh, housing nearly 75,000 Palestinians, remains a hotbed for militant Islamic groups excluded from this disarmament deal. The recurrent violence between these factions, such as clashes leaving dozens dead earlier this...