Israel Hand Over Four More Detainees to Lebanon via Red Cross Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push

Four additional detainees captured by Israeli troops in south Lebanon have been received by the International Committee of the Red Cross for transfer to Lebanon, the ICRC announced on Friday. This follows the release of another detainee through the organisation a day prior.

The four individuals, consisting of Lebanese and Syrian nationals, are currently en route to Lebanon. Lebanese citizen Malek Ghazi was the initial person among the five to be released into Lebanese custody on Thursday as a “gesture of goodwill” by Israel toward Lebanon amid stalled direct negotiations. Mr Ghazi was abducted in the Rashaya region in October 2025.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed appreciation for the US role in brokering the agreement. The handover affirmed “the validity of the firm Lebanese position and the necessity of completing the required steps stipulated in the tripartite framework”, his office stated on Friday.

The release of the detainees signals a renewed diplomatic push between Israel and Lebanon, as Washington seeks to facilitate further dialogue ahead of negotiations in Rome. Although talks have stalled, officials from both countries are expected to meet in Italy this month, according to reports.

“It was decided to release five Lebanese civilians who were arrested in areas under [Israeli army] control in southern Lebanon,” the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday. “After their interrogation was completed, it became clear that they are civilians who are not members of any terrorist organisation, have not engaged in terrorism, and there is no reason to continue holding them in Israel.”

The ICRC noted that numerous families in Lebanon are still awaiting answers regarding the fate of loved ones who may be detained, dead, or otherwise unaccounted for. “The ICRC reiterates the requirement to receive information on conflict-related detainees and to be granted access to them,” the organisation stated. Over 30 people are believed to have been abducted by Israeli forces from south Lebanon since 2023, with the ICRC unable to make contact with them.