Israel announces release of five detainees in southern Lebanon
Israel has announced the release of five civilians who were detained in areas of southern Lebanon controlled by the Israeli army. One man has already been handed over to the Lebanese army through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Decision to release
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that interrogations established that the detainees were civilians, were not members of terrorist organizations and had not taken part in terrorist activity. It added that there were no grounds for their continued detention in Israel.
A Lebanese official told AFP that the handover of four more people — two Lebanese nationals and two Syrian citizens — had been postponed until Friday. According to him, this is to precede the continuation of Lebanese-Israeli talks in Rome.
Handover of Malek Ghazi
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that the army received Malek Ghazi and transported him to the army intelligence headquarters in the southern city of Tyre. Ghazi's family from the town of Ain Ata said in October last year that they had lost contact with him after he went to exercise.
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Lebanese authorities have not officially named the number of people detained by Israel during the 2024 war and the subsequent 2026 conflict. However, families and a committee dealing with these cases have compiled a list of more than 30 people. It includes at least one Syrian citizen and several Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanon's and US reaction
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the release and thanked the US administration for its efforts. He said he would work to secure the release of all Lebanese prisoners, determine the fate of those missing and withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
The US State Department, which supports talks between Lebanon and Israel, praised the first steps by both sides as a sign of goodwill. Washington expressed hope that they would provide a foundation for broader discussions on other civilian issues.
