Hamas Transfers Rocket Suspect to Lebanese Army Amid Escalating Israel Tensions

On May 4, 2025, Hamas handed over a Palestinian militant, identified as M.G., to the Lebanese Army at the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon. M.G. is suspected of launching rockets into northern Israel in March, violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The handover, coordinated with Lebanese security agencies, follows Israeli airstrikes and Lebanese warnings to armed factions. This cooperation reflects Lebanon's efforts to control armed groups and stabilize its security amid ongoing regional tensions and internal pressures to disarm non-state actors.

Suspect Transferred Following Rocket Attacks in March

The Lebanese Army confirmed that it had taken custody of a Palestinian man identified only by the initials M.G., who is suspected of participating in two rocket attacks on Israel on March 22 and 28. The handover was coordinated between Hamas, the Lebanese Army’s Intelligence Directorate, and Lebanon’s General Security Directorate.

According to military officials, M.G. was involved in launching rockets from southern Lebanon into Israeli territory, an act that violated the terms of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that came into effect in November 2024. The attacks triggered a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas positions in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut.

“The Intelligence Directorate, in coordination with General Security, received the Palestinian M.G. from Hamas. He is suspected of involvement in two rocket attacks,” the Lebanese Army said in a statement.

Lebanese Authorities Issue Stern Warning to Hamas

The handover comes just days after Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council issued a strong warning to Hamas and other armed factions, cautioning them against using Lebanese territory to launch attacks on Israel. The council, Lebanon’s top military and security body, stated that such actions jeopardize national security and vowed to take “the harshest measures” to prevent further violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

Mohammad al-Mustafa, Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, emphasized that the Lebanese government would not tolerate any group undermining the fragile security situation. The warning followed the arrest of several Lebanese and Palestinian individuals suspected of involvement in recent rocket fire.

Broader Context: Ceasefire and Ongoing Conflict

The rocket attacks in March occurred months after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which was intended to de-escalate hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border. Under the terms of the agreement, Hezbollah was required to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, while Israel was expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by February 18, 2025.

However, the ceasefire has been marred by repeated violations. Israel has accused Hezbollah of maintaining a covert presence in southern Lebanon and claims the Lebanese Army has failed to assume full security responsibilities along the Blue Line, the demarcation line between the two countries. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli military has breached the ceasefire agreement over 3,000 times since November 2024.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has claimed that it has largely withdrawn from its southern positions, in line with the ceasefire terms. The group has criticized Israel for continuing its military operations in the region, including targeted assassinations of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Israeli Response and Airstrikes

In response to the March rocket attacks, Israel launched a series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. These strikes targeted Hamas infrastructure and personnel, including the assassination of senior Hamas military commander Saleh al-Arouri in January 2024. The Israeli military has maintained that its actions are necessary to prevent further attacks and to ensure the safety of its northern communities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated the country’s stance, stating, “Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger.” The Israeli government has also expressed concern over the presence of Hamas operatives in Lebanon, particularly in Palestinian refugee camps, where authorities recently seized approximately 800 rockets.

Internal Lebanese Dynamics and Disarmament Efforts

The Lebanese government’s decision to accept the handover of the suspect and issue warnings to Hamas reflects a broader effort to reassert state authority over armed groups operating within its borders. In recent months, Lebanon has faced increasing pressure from regional and international actors to disarm non-state factions, including Palestinian groups and Hezbollah.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Lebanon in early May to discuss plans for disarming Palestinian factions, signaling a potential shift in the long-standing armed presence of these groups in the country. The move is seen as part of a broader initiative to stabilize Lebanon’s internal security and political landscape, especially in the wake of Hezbollah’s military setbacks following Israeli strikes.

Human Cost and Displacement

The ongoing conflict between Israel and armed groups in Lebanon has taken a heavy toll on civilians. According to Lebanese authorities, more than 4,000 people have been killed and over 16,000 injured since the escalation began in October 2023. The majority of casualties are reported to be women and children. Additionally, approximately 1.4 million people have been displaced within Lebanon due to the fighting.

In Israel, dozens of civilians have been killed, and tens of thousands have been evacuated from northern communities due to rocket fire from Lebanon. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations and provocations.

Regional Implications

The handover of the rocket suspect by Hamas to the Lebanese Army may signal a tentative step toward de-escalation, but it also underscores the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the region. While Hamas maintains its primary base in Gaza, its operatives in Lebanon have increasingly come under scrutiny from both Israeli and Lebanese authorities.

The incident also highlights the challenges facing the Lebanese state as it attempts to navigate between domestic political pressures, regional conflicts, and the presence of powerful non-state actors. With local elections underway and the country still grappling with a presidential vacuum, Lebanon’s leadership is under growing pressure to restore order and prevent further entanglement in regional hostilities.

References

• Hamas hands over rocket suspect to Lebanese Army - Shafaq News
• Militant suspected of firing rockets into Israel is handed over to Lebanese army by Hamas - WTOP News
• Beirut warns Hamas against jeopardizing Lebanon’s security with attacks on Israel from its territory
• Exclusive: Abbas to visit Lebanon with plan to disarm Palestinian factions
• Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 16, including 3 children
• Israel's Deadly Strikes On Lebanon Mark Start Of New War
• Gaza war - Wikipedia