Israel frees four more Lebanese prisoners in Red Cross-mediated handover

What the report says

Israel has released four more Lebanese prisoners in a handover coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to Al Jazeera. The transfer took place on Friday in southern Lebanon, a day after Israel freed one Lebanese detainee, bringing the number released this week to five. The report said Red Cross vehicles were seen moving toward the Naqoura border crossing and later entering a Lebanese army barracks in Tyre.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the releases and thanked the United States, saying he was grateful for efforts led by President Donald Trump and supported by international bodies, including the ICRC. The release came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that five Lebanese prisoners would be freed. The ICRC said it helped transfer the five people at the request of the relevant parties.

Al Jazeera reported that those released included Malek Ghazi, who was freed on Thursday, along with Hussein Ayash and Mohammed Juheir, a fisherman from Naqoura. The article said dozens of Lebanese citizens are believed to remain in Israeli detention, including civilians and Hezbollah members captured during fighting in southern Lebanon. The ICRC also called for access to remaining detainees and said it had not been allowed to visit people held in Israel since October 2023.

The exchange comes amid wider tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and follows US-brokered efforts aimed at lowering hostilities between the two countries.