Israel’s Planned Release of Lebanese Detainees Amidst Border Negotiations

Israel has agreed to release five Lebanese detainees from its custody as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s new president. The decision was made during a diplomatic meeting involving representatives from the U.S., France, and Lebanon to discuss stabilization efforts and border disputes. Joint working groups will address key issues, although Israel continues to conduct air strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon amidst the ceasefire.

On Tuesday, Israel announced its decision to release five Lebanese citizens who had been detained during its conflict with Lebanon. This action is positioned as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s new president, as confirmed by a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The agreement was made in coordination with the United States during a meeting in Naqoura, attended by representatives from Israel, the U.S., France, and Lebanon.

The meeting resulted in an agreement to form three joint working groups focused on stabilizing the region. These groups will address key issues including the five areas controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, discussions regarding the Blue Line, and the situation of Lebanese detainees in Israeli custody. Reports indicate that Israel’s release of the five Lebanese was part of broader negotiations aimed at resolving border disputes.

The Blue Line serves as the UN-patrolled demarcation line of the Israel-Lebanon border established in 2000. In an interview on Lebanese news channel Al Jadeed, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus noted that the detainees are a mix of civilians and soldiers, allowing the Lebanese government to disclose their identities.

Following an agreement mediated by the U.S. and France, a truce was established on November 27, halting extended hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including a two-month ground war. However, despite the ceasefire being maintained, Israel has conducted air strikes on Lebanese sites to thwart Hezbollah’s military activities, including a recent strike that resulted in fatal consequences for one Hezbollah member.

Under the ceasefire terms, Hezbollah was obliged to relocate north of the Litani River and dismantle any military facilities in southern Lebanon. While Israel had planned to complete its withdrawal from Lebanese territory by mid-February, it has elected to maintain a presence at five key strategic locations instead.

Israel’s release of five Lebanese detainees marks a significant goodwill gesture amidst ongoing negotiations aimed at stabilizing border relations with Lebanon. The establishment of joint working groups provides a structured approach to address critical issues, including territorial disputes and the status of detainees. While the ceasefire holds, military tensions remain as Israel continues to monitor Hezbollah activities in the region.

Original Source: www.newarab.com