Prisoner Exchange Conducted Between Israel and Lebanon
Israel has released four more Lebanese prisoners in exchange for the search for the bodies of Jewish citizens who went missing during the civil war.
Under an agreement between Israel and Lebanon, four more Lebanese prisoners were released and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in exchange for the search for the bodies of Jewish citizens who went missing during the Lebanese Civil War.
Handover of Prisoners
Four Lebanese prisoners held in Israel were released and handed over to Lebanese authorities via the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday as part of an agreement between the two countries. In return, Lebanon agreed to search for the bodies of Jewish Lebanese citizens who went missing during the country's decades-long civil war.
Released Individuals and Process
It is believed that dozens of Lebanese prisoners are held in Israeli detention centers, including civilians and Hezbollah militants captured during clashes in southern Lebanon. Under the current agreement, a total of five detainees, all of whom are civilians, were released.
The first Lebanese prisoner, Malek Ghazi, was handed over to the Red Cross and subsequently to the Lebanese army on Thursday. The International Committee of the Red Cross stated on Friday that the remaining prisoners had been transferred to them.
Details of the Agreement and Statements
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on Thursday that Israel had approved the release of five Lebanese civilians detained in southern Lebanon. In exchange for the deal, Lebanon provided assistance in searching for the bodies of Lebanese Jewish leaders who were kidnapped and killed during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s.
Negotiations and Mediation
Officials noted that this prisoner exchange was realized as a result of mediation by the United States and ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.