It will not be long before the battle in Nahr Al-Barid, where the so-called Fatah Al-Islam group is barricaded, erupts.
The Lebanese army has finalized its preparations and United States military weapons and ammunition supplies have already been sent to Beirut.
The ultimatum issued by the Lebanese authorities to the Fatah Al-Islam militants to surrender has almost expired.
Some affluent Lebanese parties, Hizbullah leading them, and all Palestinian factions, are against the army overrunning the camp.
All parties, including Palestinian, powers condemned Fatah Al-Islam and its behavior.
A battle inside Nahr Al-Barid needs a political Lebanese decision, should the army opt to enter the camp.
If that happened, the implications could extend to 13 other refugee camps where nearly 500,000 refugees live, together with many armed militant groups. This scenario is reminiscent of the atmosphere which prevailed before the eruption of the civil war in 1975, and it could lead to an overall explosion in Lebanon, especially when the Cedar Land is divided between many people and political parties.
With many foreign and regional powers struggling on the Lebanese territories, the country is vulnerable to an overall explosion, initiated by internal or outside players, particularly after the unrealistic rumors about a conspiracy to "Lebanonize" of the Palestinian refugees.
Both the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority have declared that Fatah Al-Islam has no connection whatsoever with the Palestinians or the Palestinian cause. They say all parties condemn the group and its aggression against the Lebanese army.
Yet, the truth indicates that those who paid the price of the irresponsible acts of the group are the Palestinian refugees in the camp who are suffering the consequences of the confrontation and were forced to migrate yet again as a result of the fighting.
Condemnation might not be sufficient to unveil the deeds of the Fatah Al-Islam group which should be ended.
This goal could be reached, but not necessarily by military means. The intervention of Arab sides might be required to decide upon choosing the relevant option – a military option or the militants surrendering.
The peaceful solution must be exhausted, not as a pretext to protect the terrorist group but to safeguard the interests of both Lebanese people and Palestinian refugees.
Ibrahim Deibes is a veteran Palestinian journalist. This editorial first appeared in Al-Quds.