- BIST10011,577-1.87%
- USD49.58+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.09%
- GOLD4,141.10-0.21%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN84,158+0.16%
- October 22, 202614°
- BIST10011,577-1.87%
- USD49.58+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.09%
- GOLD4,141.10-0.21%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN84,158+0.16%
- October 22, 202614°
Lebanon announces the handover of a prisoner from Israel
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the handover of a Lebanese national from Israel on Thursday as an important step toward resolving the issue of prisoners and missing persons. Salam said efforts would continue to secure the release of all prisoners and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the return of a Lebanese national released by Israel as progress toward resolving the issue of prisoners and missing persons. Salam said efforts would continue to resolve this issue and secure Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
In his statement, Salam reiterated the goal of securing the release of all prisoners and determining the fate of those who remain missing. The Lebanese prime minister thanked the U.S. administration, particularly Michel Issa, its ambassador in Beirut, for its efforts on the issue of Lebanese prisoners.
Israel hands over one Lebanese prisoner
A senior Lebanese military official said Israel had handed over only one prisoner to the Lebanese side through the Red Cross. The official said one person had been handed over, contrary to reports in the Israeli media that five prisoners had been released.
Israel’s official broadcaster said the person handed over was Malik Kamal Ghazi, a member of Hezbollah. Ghazi was detained by Israeli soldiers in the Ain Ata area of southern Lebanon in October 2025. After being handed over to the Red Cross at the Naqoura crossing, he was transferred to the Lebanese army and taken for a medical examination.
Hezbollah has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. There are no official statistics on the total number of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel.
Negotiations on the issue
A list published by the Lebanese Association of Prisoners and Liberated Detainees on August 26 included the cases of 36 Lebanese nationals. The list included civilians, farmers, fishermen, volunteers and armed individuals, and stated that the cases of three people dated back to before October 2024.
Direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began in Washington on April 14 under U.S. auspices. Subsequent rounds addressed the borders, the ceasefire, and the issues of prisoners and missing persons.
During the seventh round, held in Rome from August 4 to 6, the sides exchanged the first lists concerning the prisoners. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun later said positive progress had been made in the talks on the border and prisoner issues.
Alleged detentions in southern Lebanon
The handover of one prisoner took place as Israeli forces continued their advances and detention operations in southern Lebanon. The mayor of Helta, a town in the Hasbaya district of southern Lebanon, and a local official said Israeli forces had abducted three Lebanese nationals after entering the town.
Lebanese authorities said that Israeli attacks ongoing since March 2 had killed 4,350 people, wounded 12,307 and displaced more than 1 million.
Israel continues its attacks despite the signing of a framework agreement providing for its gradual and complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese army in the area and the disarmament of armed groups.
Salam said the difficulty of the negotiating process would not halt the efforts. He said all necessary initiatives would continue to protect Lebanon’s rights and the interests of its citizens, emphasizing that protecting residents in the south was a priority.
Salam also said they aimed to ensure that people could return safely and with dignity to their lands and villages, and that state sovereignty would be fully restored throughout the country.
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
