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// DOSSIER — israel-releases-lebanese-detainees-us-mediated-deal
Israel Releases Five Lebanese Detainees Under US-Mediated Deal Tied to Missing Jewish Leaders
REL_TIME: 06 Sep 2026 01:42Z · LANG: EN
Israel has released five Lebanese civilians who were detained during operations in southern Lebanon, including Malek Ghazi and four others transferred via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The prisoner release is part of a US-mediated framework arrangement between Israel and Lebanon, linked to Lebanese cooperation in locating and returning the remains of Lebanese Jewish community leaders who went missing in the 1980s civil war. While both governments frame the release as a good-faith confidence-building measure amidst ongoing negotiations, dozens of other Lebanese detainees remain in Israeli custody, and tensions persist regarding the broader implementation of an Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
// Background
Israel and Lebanon signed a U.S.-mediated framework agreement in June aiming for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah. However, implementation has lagged because Hezbollah rejects disarmament north of the Litani River, and Israel demands comprehensive disarmament throughout the country. Meanwhile, longstanding efforts have persisted to locate the remains of Jewish community leaders who vanished during the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war.
// Key Developments
- Israel released five Lebanese civilian detainees in a multi-day handover facilitated by the ICRC.
- The first released detainee, Malek Ghazi, was handed over at the Naqoura border crossing on Thursday, followed by four others on Friday.
- The prisoner release is tied to Lebanon assisting Israel in searching for the remains of Jewish leaders who went missing during the 1980s civil war.
- The releases come under a US-mediated framework signed in June, though implementation on southern Lebanon security and Hezbollah disarmament remains stalled.
- Human rights groups and local officials note that around 35 Lebanese nationals remain in Israeli custody, and separate Israeli incursions have resulted in new detentions.
// Timeline
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Malek Ghazi is captured in southern Lebanon months before the current military invasion.
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Israel and Lebanon sign a U.S.-mediated framework agreement covering detainee releases and border security.
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Malek Ghazi is released and handed over to the ICRC and Lebanese army at the Naqoura crossing.
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Four additional Lebanese detainees are released by Israel and transferred to Lebanon.
// Perspectives
[Israeli Government]
Frames the release as a reciprocal 'exchange' or goodwill measure tied directly to Lebanon providing actionable intelligence and conducting field searches for missing Jewish leaders' remains from the 1980s.
[Lebanese Government]
Views the release of civilian captives as a step toward fulfilling the trilateral framework agreement, while pressing for a complete Israeli withdrawal and the freedom of all remaining detainees.
[International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)]
Acts as a neutral humanitarian intermediary facilitating safe transfers, while criticizing the lack of direct access to detainees held in Israel since October 2023.
// Quotes
“We will continue working until all our prisoners are released, the fate of the missing is revealed, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory is achieved.”
“We commend the Government of Israel and the Government of Lebanon for demonstrating good faith through these initial steps, and hope this will serve as the basis for expanded discussions on other civilian issues.”
