Israel Releases Five Detainees to Lebanon via Red Cross

Israel has released five individuals detained in a security zone to Lebanon through the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the individuals were interrogated and found to have no links to terrorist activities. While one person was released on Thursday, four more were handed over on Friday. There is a discrepancy regarding the nationality of the detainees: the Prime Minister's Office referred to them as Lebanese civilians, but AFP reported that two of the four released on Friday are Syrian nationals.

Lebanese government sources estimate that Israel holds approximately three dozen Lebanese citizens, more than half of whom are civilians. However, the exact number is uncertain because Hezbollah fighters may not be officially reported as missing. Reports from the Lebanese newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour indicate that three additional Lebanese citizens were recently detained during an Israeli army operation in a border hamlet where 15 people were initially taken for questioning.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked the American Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, for his efforts in securing the releases. The issue of prisoners is part of broader, US-mediated negotiations between Israel and Beirut to end the conflict with Hezbollah. These talks remain stalled, as Israel seeks the disarmament of Hezbollah before withdrawing its military from Lebanese soil, while Beirut demands an immediate withdrawal.