The Red Cross received five Lebanese detainees from Israel as part of a goodwill gesture following a meeting involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized their release, which is seen as a diplomatic move towards Lebanon’s new president. Joint working groups were formed to address issues of border disputes and remaining prisoners, amidst ongoing tensions and ceasefire violations.
On Tuesday evening, the Red Cross successfully received five Lebanese detainees who had been captured by the Israeli military during the recent conflict. This transfer occurred after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision to release these individuals as a “goodwill gesture” towards Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun, as reported by the state news agency NNA.
The detainees were subsequently transported to the Lebanese Italian Hospital located in Tyre, a city in southern Lebanon. This humanitarian action was part of broader diplomatic discussions, which included a four-way meeting in Naqoura that featured representatives from Israel, the United States, France, and Lebanon.
During the Naqoura talks, an agreement was reached to establish three joint working groups focused on stabilizing the region. These groups will concentrate on crucial matters, such as Israel’s withdrawal from five contested areas in southern Lebanon and the review of the pre-war land border between the two nations.
Furthermore, the negotiations will consider the release of individuals identified as “saboteurs” who have been detained since the conflict began. There is currently no information regarding the total number of Lebanese prisoners still held by Israel, although Lebanon continues to advocate for their release and demands an Israeli withdrawal from contentious areas.
A fragile ceasefire, established in November 2024, has been in effect following extensive cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated last September. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26; however, this deadline was subsequently extended to February 18 due to Israel’s non-compliance. As of now, it continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts despite reports from Lebanese authorities highlighting nearly 1,100 ceasefire violations, resulting in numerous casualties.
The recent transfer of five Lebanese detainees by the Red Cross marks a significant diplomatic gesture between Israel and Lebanon, highlighting ongoing efforts to stabilize the region following recent conflicts. The establishment of joint working groups suggests potential progress towards addressing border disputes and prisoner releases. However, the situation remains tense, with unresolved issues and continued Israeli military presence in contested areas amid claims of ceasefire violations.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
