Five Lebanese Detainees Released by Israel in First Transfer Since War Began

The Israeli military released four individuals who had been detained in southern Lebanon on Friday, handing them over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the border crossing in Naqoura. The Lebanese Army subsequently received the former detainees from the ICRC in the Mansouri area, Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu/Getty reported.

One additional former detainee was transferred on Thursday, bringing the total to five Lebanese nationals freed this week. These individuals were among approximately 30 people from Lebanon who have been held by Israel before and during its war against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, according to reports by The Times of Israel and the BBC.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun thanked President Trump and the United States for “all the efforts and initiatives” that led to the release. He called the transfer a first step toward reaffirming “the effectiveness of the firm Lebanese position” as his government works to restore full Lebanese sovereignty.

The ICRC, which served as intermediary for the transfers, confirmed the releases in a Friday statement. However, the organization noted it has not been granted access to “detainees held in Israeli places of detention, including Lebanese nationals” since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

“Many families in Lebanon are still waiting for answers about the fate of loved ones who may be detained, deceased or otherwise unaccounted for,” the ICRC said. The organization reiterated “the requirement to receive information on conflict-related detainees and to be granted access to them,” and said it continues to engage directly with families.

Israel’s government announced the release Thursday, stating that interrogations determined the five former detainees were “civilians who are not members of any terrorist organization, have not engaged in terrorism, and there is no reason to continue holding them in Israel.”

Israeli forces have occupied a strip of land extending roughly six miles into Lebanese territory along the border. Israeli officials have stated the troops will remain in what they call the “security zone” and will not permit the thousands of Lebanese residents forced to evacuate from the area to return until the threat posed by Hezbollah is eliminated.