Palestinian factions in Lebanon rejected reports on Thursday that they were preparing to hand over weapons inside refugee camps, particularly in Burj al-Barajneh.
In a joint statement, the groups called the claims “entirely false,” saying the situation in the camp is an internal matter related to the Fatah movement and not linked to Palestinian arms in general.
The factions said they remain committed to safeguarding the security and stability of the camps and their surrounding areas, while also expressing respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, its laws and its institutions. They emphasized the importance of preserving strong, brotherly relations between Palestinians and the Lebanese people.
“Our weapons have never been, and will never be, anything other than tools connected to the right of return and the just Palestinian cause,” the statement read. The factions made clear the weapons will remain so long as Israel’s occupation continues, adding they are meant only for confronting “the Zionist enemy.”
By combining a pledge to respect Lebanon’s internal order with a vow to keep arms tied to their national struggle, the factions sought to address both Lebanese concerns and Palestinian aspirations. The presence of weapons in the camps has long been a sensitive issue in Lebanese politics, resurfacing whenever tensions rise.
The statement closed by affirming that these weapons are not a threat to Lebanon, but a symbol of Palestinians’ determination to secure their rights, their freedom, and eventually an independent state on their own land.
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