Israel has released four more prisoners held in its custody and handed them over to Lebanese authorities through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bringing to five the number of civilians freed under a deal between Israel and Lebanon.
The four detainees were transferred today, a day after the first prisoner was released through the same process. The agreement provides for the release of the detainees in exchange for Lebanon’s commitment to search for the remains of Jewish Lebanese citizens who went missing during the country’s civil war decades ago.
The first prisoner, identified as Malek Ghazi, was released to the ICRC on Thursday before being transferred to the Lebanese army. The four detainees released today included two Lebanese citizens and two Syrians who had been captured in Lebanon, according to two Lebanese officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It was not immediately clear whether the two Syrian nationals would remain in Lebanon or be returned to Syria. Lebanon hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and workers. The releases come amid broader efforts to address the issue of Lebanese nationals and others held by Israel.
Dozens of Lebanese prisoners are believed to remain in Israeli detention facilities, including civilians and Hezbollah militants captured during fighting in southern Lebanon. However, all five detainees released under the current agreement were civilians.
The ICRC said in a statement that the remaining prisoners covered by the latest transfer had been handed over to its teams today. The organisation also renewed its call for access to detainees still held in Israeli custody.
The ICRC said that it had not been able to visit detainees held in Israel since October 2023, highlighting the difficulties surrounding the monitoring of prisoners and determining their conditions. “Many families in Lebanon are still waiting for answers about the fate of loved ones who may be detained, deceased or otherwise unaccounted for,” the organisation said.
The latest releases form part of an agreement between Lebanon and Israel that links the return of detainees with efforts to locate the remains of Jewish Lebanese citizens who disappeared during Lebanon’s civil war.
The arrangement represents an effort to address long-standing humanitarian and political issues between the two countries, which have remained technically at war for decades and have experienced repeated periods of conflict, particularly along their shared border.
The release of the prisoners also comes as the two sides prepare for further negotiations, with international actors seeking to build on recent steps towards addressing outstanding issues between Lebanon and Israel.
For the families of those released, the transfers bring an end to uncertainty over the immediate whereabouts of their relatives, while families of those still detained continue to await information about their fate.
US Embassy, Lebanese Presidency Praise Prisoner Release
The United States Embassy in Lebanon welcomed Israel’s release of the prisoners, describing it as a “positive step” and calling on both sides to maintain the momentum ahead of the next round of negotiations.
The statement reflects Washington’s continued involvement in efforts to support the broader framework between Lebanon and Israel and encourage further progress on outstanding issues.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also welcomed the releases during a meeting with US Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Isaac and members of US congressional committees on foreign affairs and armed forces at Baabda Palace today.
According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Aoun thanked Isaac for his efforts in helping secure the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.
The Lebanese President also stressed the importance of securing the release of those who remain in Israeli custody, in line with understandings reached during trilateral talks and as part of the follow-up to the framework agreement process. The meeting also addressed US assistance to the Lebanese army and funding appropriations related to that support currently before the US Congress, according to the presidency.
The US Embassy’s endorsement of the releases and the Lebanese presidency’s call for further progress underscore the diplomatic significance attached to the detainee issue. While five civilians have now been released under the agreement, dozens of Lebanese prisoners are still believed to be held in Israel. Their status remains a key issue as Lebanon and Israel move towards another round of negotiations.
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