Lebanon has received four hostages from Israel as talks commence on border demarcation. Israel views this release as a goodwill gesture, while discussions involve the US and France. Ongoing issues include Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon post-ceasefire, indicating complexities in achieving a resolution.
On Tuesday, Lebanon confirmed the release of four hostages previously held by Israel, coinciding with Israel’s agreement to enter discussions aimed at delineating their shared border. According to the office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the individuals have arrived at a hospital in the southern city of Tyre, with a fifth hostage anticipated for release the following day.
Israeli officials characterized the release as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon. The discussions, which involve Lebanon along with the United States and France, will establish working groups to address the demarcation line between the two nations. This decision follows the announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office about the collaborative effort to resolve border disputes.
Morgan Ortagus, the US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, expressed to the Lebanese media that Washington is advocating for a political resolution to the ongoing border disagreements. Furthermore, the working groups are tasked with addressing these disputes, as well as Israel’s ongoing occupation of five strategically important points in southern Lebanon.
The recent ceasefire concluded over a year of conflict involving massive hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which paralleled the ongoing war in Gaza. Under the terms of this ceasefire, Hezbollah must withdraw north of the Litani River and dismantle its military setup in southern Lebanon. However, Israel has failed to completely vacate its position by the previously intended February deadline, maintaining a presence in five critical locations.
As Al Jazeera correspondent Hamdah Salhut noted, numerous issues remain unresolved, with the Israeli army still occupying five locations in southern Lebanon. These sites were designated for evacuation under the ceasefire agreement, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
The release of the Lebanese captives and discussions regarding border demarcation signify a potential shift in relations between Israel and Lebanon. Nonetheless, numerous issues persist, particularly regarding Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon. The commitment of various international actors to facilitate a resolution underscores the complexity of the situation, with many factors yet to be addressed before a lasting peace can be established.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
