Israel releases Lebanese civilian, says five prisoners will be freed

What the report says

Israel has released one Lebanese civilian detainee and said it will free five more prisoners, according to Al Jazeera. The first person handed over was identified as Malek Ghazi, who was transferred through the International Committee of the Red Cross at the Naqoura border crossing and then taken to a Lebanese army intelligence office in Tyre.

Al Jazeera reported that Ghazi is the first Lebanese citizen held by Israel to be released since US-brokered talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv began in April. A Lebanese security official said the handover came after negotiations linked to Lebanon’s role in helping search for the remains of Lebanese Jewish leaders who were killed in the 1980s. Israel said the five others were questioned and were not found to be linked to terrorism.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the release and thanked the United States for its role, while saying Lebanon would continue pressing for the return of detainees, information on missing people and a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Lebanese families and a follow-up committee have compiled a list of more than 30 people believed held since the 2024 war.

The release comes against the backdrop of continued tension along the Lebanon-Israel border, where Al Jazeera said Israeli forces and drones remained active in the south despite a June ceasefire framework and later agreement. The reported detainee exchange is part of a broader, fragile diplomatic process tied to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.