Israel Begins Release of Lebanese Civilians Following Search for Slain Jewish Leaders

Israel has begun the release of five Lebanese civilians who were detained during the current conflict. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the handover of the first prisoner, Malek Ghazi, to the Lebanese army in the city of Tyre on Thursday. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the detainees were determined to be civilians not affiliated with terrorist organizations. Lebanese officials expect the remaining four prisoners to be released on Friday.

The releases are part of a deal in which Lebanese authorities are assisting in the search for the bodies of Lebanese Jewish leaders who Israel says were abducted and murdered by terrorist organizations during the Lebanese civil war in the 1980s. The US State Department described the releases as the result of US led mediation and commended both governments for demonstrating good faith.

Despite this development, peace talks remain stalled. A US mediated framework deal from June requires Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah. Israel maintains it will not withdraw until the militia is disarmed throughout Lebanon, while Hezbollah insists it will not give up its weapons north of the Litani river. Additionally, Lebanese state media reported that Israeli troops detained three more men in the town of Halta on Thursday, though the Israel Defense Forces did not immediately comment.