Israel to Release 5 Lebanese Prisoners as U.S.-Backed Beirut Talks Advance
Updated
Updated · Ynetnews · Sep 3
Israel to Release 5 Lebanese Prisoners as U.S.-Backed Beirut Talks Advance
3 articles · Updated · Ynetnews · Sep 3
Summary
Five Lebanese prisoners will be returned on Thursday in what an Israeli official called a diplomatic gesture to Beirut during ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
Jerusalem discussed the move this week in a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Arab media identified one prisoner as Kamel Ghazi, with a Saudi report saying he would cross back into Lebanon through Naqoura; Lebanese outlets had reported his disappearance near Mount Hermon in October 2025.
The release comes despite Israeli frustration with a pilot arrangement in southern Lebanon, where the IDF says the Lebanese army has not moved fast enough to clear Hezbollah infrastructure.
Earlier reporting said the five detainees were civilians and that the gesture was also tied to talks on recovering remains of Lebanese Jewish community leaders from Beirut and Sidon cemeteries.