Four Lebanese citizens held in Israel have been released and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), following the release of a first prisoner the previous day. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun praised the release in a statement on Friday and expressed gratitude to the United States for its role in facilitating the transfer. The U.S. has been involved in brokering discussions between Beirut and Tel Aviv aimed at reducing tensions between the two nations.
Aoun thanked the U.S. under President Donald Trump and international organizations, particularly the ICRC, for their efforts. The ICRC confirmed that it facilitated the transfer of five individuals released from Israeli detention at the request of the involved parties. Reports from Associated Press and Anadolu news agency indicated that ICRC vehicles were seen heading towards the Naqoura border crossing on Friday morning and later returning to a Lebanese army barracks in Tyre.
This release follows a commitment made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to free five Lebanese prisoners. The individual released on Thursday was identified as Malek Ghazi. Other prisoners released include Hussein Ayash from Harouf and Mohammed Juheir, a fisherman from Naqoura, according to AP.
There are believed to be dozens of Lebanese citizens still held in Israeli detention centers, including civilians and Hezbollah members captured during conflicts in southern Lebanon. The ICRC has called for access to remaining prisoners held by Israel, noting it has not been granted access to detainees since October 2023. The organization stated that many families in Lebanon are still seeking information about the status of their loved ones who may be detained or unaccounted for.
Clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah intensified following Israel's military actions in Gaza in October 2023, leading to a prolonged conflict that escalated into a full-scale war in 2024. Lebanon became more deeply involved in the conflict two years later when the U.S. and Israel engaged in military actions against Iran, prompting Hezbollah to retaliate. Israel's response included air strikes and a ground invasion, resulting in significant casualties in Lebanon.
Lebanon began direct negotiations with Israel in April, with Aoun's government committing to uphold the terms of a U.S.-brokered framework agreement aimed at restoring Lebanese sovereignty without compromising territorial integrity.