Hamas in Lebanon stands at the crossroads of a potential new phase, with increasing pressure for disarmament amid ongoing Israeli aggression and shifting regional dynamics
Lebanon has formally warned the Palestinian group Hamas to halt any security or military activities on its territory, following recent rocket attacks on Israel launched from southern Lebanon.
In response to these warnings, Hamas representative in Lebanon Ahmad Abdel-Hadi announced that the group is fully committed to the ceasefire along the Lebanese-Israeli border. He stated that Hamas had officially informed all Lebanese authorities of its position and that it remains respectful of Lebanon’s sovereignty, laws, and stability.
Abdel-Hadi acknowledged that Hamas fighters had taken part in what he described as a broader campaign of support alongside Hezbollah, Amal, and other Palestinian factions. However, he distanced the group from the recent rocket fire, calling it a “personal initiative” by a few individuals reacting to Israeli actions in Gaza. “Hamas did not plan or authorize the attack,” he said.
The Lebanese army had previously announced the arrest of individuals linked to the rocket launches on March 22 and 28. The attacks triggered Israeli airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and across southern Lebanon. Military investigations identified multiple suspects, including members of Hamas. Abdel-Hadi confirmed that the group had handed over three of four requested individuals and was cooperating with security agencies to finalize the process.
The handover followed an official meeting between Abdel-Hadi and Lebanese security officials, including General Security chief Maj. Gen. Hassan Shaker and Army Intelligence Director Brig. Gen. Tony Qahwaji. Abdel-Hadi described the meeting as positive and said it established a working framework for future cooperation, particularly on issues related to the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
The crackdown on Hamas came after a meeting of Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council, which instructed the government to deliver a clear message to the group: Lebanon will not allow attacks to be launched from its territory that could draw retaliatory strikes. Abdel-Hadi said Hamas had received and agreed to the council’s message.
He also denied reports that Jordan had communicated any concerns to Lebanese authorities regarding Hamas’ operations in Lebanon. “We’ve been told clearly by the Lebanese state that Jordan did not issue such a message,” he said.
When asked about the status of weapons in Palestinian refugee camps, Abdel-Hadi said no official Lebanese request had been made on the issue. He noted that any such demand would be addressed through a unified Palestinian position that considers both Lebanon’s interests and those of Palestinian refugees.
A broader internal discussion among Palestinian factions is currently underway in Lebanon to build consensus on humanitarian rights, camp security, and the future of arms inside the camps.
While some view Hamas’ handover of suspects as a goodwill gesture, others suggest it could be the beginning of greater state involvement in camp affairs. Lebanese military analyst Khalil al-Helou said in a recent interview that political dynamics have changed. “Hamas previously benefited from strong ties with Hezbollah. That support structure has weakened, and its influence over state institutions is no longer what it was,” he said.
A new phase?
The Lebanese army’s arrest of individuals linked to Hamas after rocket fire from southern Lebanon has raised questions about whether the state is moving toward a more assertive posture regarding non-state armed actors.
Hisham Debsi, director of the Tatweer Center for Studies, views the arrests as part of a broader attempt by the state to reassert control. According to Debsi, the measures appear to reflect recent official rhetoric — including the president’s inaugural speech and the ministerial policy statement — which emphasize the importance of extending state authority over all Lebanese territory.
“These actions signal a deep shift in how the state might be positioning itself — away from accommodating armed factions and toward reclaiming direct control,” he said, adding that this could represent a new model for how the state responds when its sovereignty is challenged.
Debsi also framed the arrests within the wider regional context, particularly stalled efforts by Hamas to negotiate through Qatari, Turkish, and Egyptian mediation. “The army is under pressure to prove it is the primary authority when it comes to any military activity that could expose Lebanon to retaliation,” he said.
However, he acknowledged the risks of such actions escalating tensions. He noted that the rocket launches prompted Israeli strikes on areas including the southern suburbs of Beirut, and intensified Israeli operations targeting figures in both Hamas and Hezbollah. In this sense, he said, the incident “put additional pressure on the Lebanese state,” with Israel using it as a justification to expand its military response.
Debsi argued that if Lebanon is indeed changing course, it will need more than reactive steps. “There’s a need for structural reforms and plans to prevent recurrence, rather than scrambling after each event,” he said, adding that security management should be proactive, not event-driven.
He also commented on Hamas’s reaction, saying that while the group offered an explanation and a form of apology, the arrests challenged its ability to distance itself from the actions of its members. “The fact that the perpetrators were handed over limits the space for Hamas to frame such incidents as isolated or uncoordinated,” he said.
Internally, the Palestinian political landscape in Lebanon remains fractured. Debsi pointed out that factions aligned with the Palestinian Authority tend to support coordination with the Lebanese state, while others — including Hamas and Islamic Jihad — are facing increasing difficulties. He also warned of extremist groups that, although not currently active, pose a long-term challenge to any effort to assert Lebanese state control over the camps and the question of arms.
At the same time, Debsi noted that the Lebanese state’s response was perceived by some Palestinians in the camps as measured. “There’s a sense of relief that the state did not resort to heavy-handed tactics,” he said, adding that many in the camps view cooperation with the state and disarmament as necessary steps — though these views are far from unanimous.
Lebanon’s efforts to rein in armed factions may signal a new phase in asserting state authority. However, these actions unfold amid ongoing Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, with over 3,000 violations recorded since the start of the war. As regional pressures mount, including a reported Saudi-backed push to disarm Palestinian groups, the imbalance becomes clear. While internal actors face growing restrictions, the state continues to endure external aggression on a near-daily basis.
Moving forward, it is crucial to consider the broader context, where Lebanon’s sovereignty is under pressure not only from internal actors but also from persistent external threats. No matter the source of support — whether from the United States, Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere — there should also be concerted efforts to address Israel’s repeated violations and ensure accountability.
