The Lebanese government is moving forward with an initiative targeting the Hamas terror group, in which it is expected to demand the extradition of those involved in the rocket fire into Israeli territory last March. In addition, the Lebanese government has already prepared a list of wanted Hamas operatives suspected of possessing rockets and other weapons seized by the Lebanese army.
“The Lebanese Army Intelligence Directorate, under legal supervision, compiled a list of Hamas operatives wanted for involvement in the attacks, based on interrogations of arrested suspects,” a Lebanese source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday.
The council is also expected to address what it considers Israeli violations of the ceasefire, contrasting with what Lebanon describes as its own “unilateral commitment” to the agreement. Also on the agenda: clashes between local residents in southern Lebanon and UNIFIL forces, following incidents in which the latter were blocked from entering villages without prior coordination with the Lebanese army.
Weapons Used in Internal Conflicts, Endangering Lebanese Citizens
The source added that the suspects may be hiding in Palestinian refugee camps, particularly in Ain al-Hilweh in southern Lebanon, where Hamas may be sheltering them in areas controlled by Palestinian factions. He further emphasized that Palestinian weapons, originally intended for defense against “Israeli aggression,” are now mostly being used in internal disputes—putting Lebanese civilians at risk.
Lebanon Seeks Control Over All Weapons
The demand to disarm Palestinian factions in Lebanon aligns with the position of President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government, which both call for all weapons to be placed under the control of the state.
This report comes amid wider efforts to disarm Hezbollah and transfer control of all weapons to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Lebanon’s president has stressed that the disarmament of Hezbollah will be achieved through direct dialogue with its leadership, not by force, in order to preserve civil peace in the country.
The March Rocket Launches and Israel’s Response
On March 22, six rockets were fired toward Metula. Three fell inside Lebanese territory, while three were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system. In response, the IDF launched airstrikes and artillery fire against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including rocket launchers and command centers.
Six days later, two more rockets were launched toward the Kiryat Shmona area. One fell inside Lebanon, and the other was intercepted by Iron Dome. Israel again responded with strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon. In Beirut, a Hezbollah drone storage facility was targeted.
