Beirut – On Thursday, a Lebanese civilian identified as Malek Ghazi was released by Israeli forces and transferred to the Lebanese army through the International Committee of the Red Cross at the Naqoura border crossing. The handover, confirmed by Lebanese officials and the Red Cross, is the first such exchange since the latest Israel‑Hezbollah war erupted in March.
Background and diplomatic context
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel agreed to free five Lebanese civilians after Lebanon assisted in locating the remains of Lebanese Jewish leaders abducted and murdered in the 1980s. Netanyahu’s statement emphasized that the detainees were found not to be members of any terrorist organization after interrogation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked the United States and U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa for their role in facilitating the release. Salam reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to securing the freedom of all Lebanese prisoners, uncovering the fate of the missing, and achieving a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Ongoing negotiations
The release comes amid stalled talks between Lebanon and Israel. In June, the two nations signed a U.S.-mediated framework calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of the Iran‑backed militant group Hezbollah. Implementation on the ground has been slow, and a new round of negotiations is slated for Rome later this month.
While Lebanon has not made its participation in the upcoming talks contingent on further prisoner releases, officials describe the handover as an “integral part of the implementation” of the agreement. Lebanese authorities continue to search for the bodies of the Jewish leaders, a task that involves examining historic Jewish cemeteries.
Broader regional implications
Dozens of Lebanese prisoners, both civilians and Hezbollah militants, are believed to remain in Israeli detention facilities. Hezbollah, which is not a party to the current talks, has stated it will not relinquish its weapons north of the Litani River, and Israeli officials maintain that a full withdrawal will only occur once Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon.
The Lebanese government remains cautious about any forced disarmament of Hezbollah, given the group’s political influence and social services within the Shiite community. Past experiences during Lebanon’s 1975‑1990 civil war raise concerns that a direct military clash could reignite widespread conflict.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the release of Malek Ghazi offers a modest sign of progress, but many challenges remain before a comprehensive resolution can be achieved.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
