Hamas under scrutiny in Lebanon — will the state take control?
The decision has been made: illegal weapons will no longer be tolerated on Lebanese soil.
With these words, informed sources summed up the focus of the Higher Defense Council's meeting, which devoted a significant portion to discussing Hamas' security activity in Lebanon following recent rocket launches from the south toward Israeli territory.
For the first time, the Defense Council has issued such a clear and direct decision. Why was this decision made now?
Available information indicates that President Joseph Aoun had been awaiting the completion of investigations and confirmation of the individuals responsible for launching the rockets.
Once the picture became clear, the meeting was convened—coinciding with security preparations for municipal elections and developments in Syria and their impact on Lebanon.
LBCI has learned that four individuals have been detained by army intelligence in connection with the rocket fire—Palestinian and Lebanese nationals. The military prosecutor's office is expected to begin legal proceedings against them early next week.
The detainees admitted ties to Hamas, though the rocket launches were not directed by the group's central leadership.
At the same time, efforts are underway to apprehend four Palestinian fugitives. Army intelligence had previously requested that Hamas hand them over.
In the presence of security chiefs, relevant ministers, and senior judicial officials—including the government commissioner to the military court and the public prosecutor—President Aoun warned against allowing Lebanon to become a platform for destabilization.
The prime minister also stressed the need to surrender illegal weapons in accordance with the National Accord document and the ministerial statement.
While Lebanon remains committed to the Palestinian cause, it now enters a new phase—one in which no group will be allowed to use Lebanese territory as a base for operations, either in execution or financing.
The Defense Council's decision comes as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to arrive in Beirut on May 21 to discuss the future of weapons in the camps.
Despite the complexity of the Palestinian arms issue—given the number of factions and leadership structures—political sources say any statement from Abbas would strengthen efforts to assert state authority and place pressure on those who oppose this path.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Libnan
3 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Israel- Syria talks advance in Azerbaijan. An agreement is reportedly nearing conclusion
By Amal Shehadeh What was once considered improbable now seems inevitable: an official agreement between Israel and Syria is reportedly nearing conclusion. The once-theoretical question of whether a deal could be struck has now shifted to when it will be signed. Unprecedented optimism is emerging from Israeli sources following the first round of talks held in Azerbaijan between high-level security delegations from both nations. The Israeli team, composed of senior military officers, intelligence officials, and representatives from the Prime Minister's office, sat across from a Syrian delegation led by key security figures. Discussions centered on a proposed Israeli withdrawal from areas of southern Syria that were occupied following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. These negotiations are seen as a precursor to a formal diplomatic meeting, expected to take place in Brussels, between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani. According to Israeli insiders familiar with the talks in Azerbaijan, a draft of a security agreement is already prepared. The Israeli side reportedly presented its vision for a phased withdrawal while insisting on the creation of a buffer zone starting from the 1974 disengagement line. The size and extent of this buffer zone remain under negotiation, with Israel citing security concerns and the need to prevent infiltration by hostile elements. The most significant component of the emerging agreement is reportedly the establishment of joint border security coordination between the two countries. Despite the breakthrough in negotiations, Israel has made clear that it will not relinquish the Golan Heights, which it captured in 1967. Instead, Israeli officials are said to be positioning the territory as a stabilizing asset in support of Syria's new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Sources close to the talks suggest that much of the groundwork for the current progress was laid even before al-Sharaa assumed power in Damascus. According to reports, an understanding was reached among the key international stakeholders in Syria—including Russia, Turkey, the United States, and Israel—that the smooth transfer of power to al-Sharaa would be contingent upon his willingness to pursue an agreement with Israel. On the military front, separate meetings are believed to have taken place in recent months in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights between Israeli officers and Syrian officials. These back-channel discussions reportedly involved Ahmad al-Dallati, who is currently leading the Syrian delegation in Azerbaijan. ( LBC)
Ya Libnan
5 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Iran's Fars revealed that Iranian president was injured in an Israeli strike last June
The Iranian Fars News Agency reported that 'officials, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, were injured in an Israeli attack on a National Security Council meeting on June 16,' noting that Pezeshkian sustained minor injuries to his foot while leaving the meeting. Fars News Agency also reported that 'the Israeli attack on the Iranian National Security Council meeting on June 16 was carried out in a manner similar to the assassination of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.' Nasrallah was assassinated last September . Iran's Quds Force leader reportedly revealed Nasrallah's location to Mossad. Hezbollah is the Lebanese arm of the Quds force , the foreign unit of the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC)
Ya Libnan
5 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
MP Fouad Makhzoumi calls Barrak's position a 'wake up call'. Urges the state to be courageous in its decision on illegal arms
MP Fouad Makhzoumi said in a statement that 'the position announced by Ambassador Tom Barak regarding Lebanon should be a wake-up call for the state, so that it can take action and act as a decision-maker, not as a hesitant mediator, hiding behind this or that pretext. Greater Lebanon, which we are proud to belong to and defend, requires courageous action at a fateful stage. What is required of the state is to withdraw all illegal weapons, effectively extend its authority over its land and borders, and dismantle the illegal military and security structures. Otherwise, God forbid, Lebanon will be on the political and economic waiting list. The Lebanese are waiting for courageous decisions from their state that go beyond the equations of buying time and managing the crisis.' Existential threat Makhzoumi's comments come after US Special Envoy Tom Barrack warned, in an interview with the Emirati newspaper The National, that Lebanon risks falling into the hands of regional powers unless Beirut moves to resolve the issue of Hezbollah's arms. He pointed out that 'Lebanon needs to resolve this issue, otherwise it could face an existential threat,' adding, 'Israel on one side, Iran on the other, and now Syria is emerging very quickly. If Lebanon doesn't act, it will return to the Levant.' He added, 'The Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we have to act. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. This frustrates me too.' The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia was severely weakened in its war with Israel. The ceasefire that was agreed last November between Israel and Hezbollah was based on UN resolution 1701 and 1559 which call for disarming all militia in Lebanon. Following his election last January president Joseph Aoun pledged to make the Lebanese army the only entity allowed to bear arms but he has been overly cautious and reluctant in taking the ultimate decision of disarming Hezbollah for fear of a civil war. The majority of the Lebanese have been pressing Aoun to act in resolving the issue of Hezbollah arms and many leaders threatened to pull out of the government if Aoun does not act.
