Israel’s Release of Lebanese Detainees and Ongoing Tensions in the Region

Israel has released five Lebanese detainees in a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s new President Joseph Aoun. This action followed a meeting aimed at establishing joint working groups to resolve border issues. Despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel continues military operations in Lebanon, including targeted strikes on Hezbollah militants.

On Tuesday, Israel announced the release of five Lebanese detainees as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, this release was coordinated with the United States and intended to foster positive relations. The Lebanese presidency confirmed that four prisoners were freed on Tuesday, while the fifth detainee is set to be released on Wednesday.

This action followed a meeting in Naqoura, a border town in Lebanon, where representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the mediating parties, France and the United States, convened. During this meeting, it was agreed to establish three joint working groups to stabilize the region, as outlined in Netanyahu’s statement. The discussions will address five points controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, the Blue Line, disputed areas, and the situation concerning Lebanese detainees in Israel.

The Blue Line, established in 2000 and monitored by the UN, serves as the effective demarcation of the Israel-Lebanon border. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, reiterated the U.S. commitment to achieving a political resolution to border disputes. She remarked on the persistence of issues, noting, “there are 13 points – I think that six are still problematic,” while expressing confidence that a resolution is near regarding the remaining issues concerning the Blue Line.

In the meantime, Israel announced the elimination of a senior Hezbollah militant allegedly involved in drone and missile operations. Despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, Israel has continued strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are vital for preventing rearmament. The Israeli military confirmed a recent targeted strike that killed Hassan Abbas Ezzedine, head of Hezbollah’s aerial operations, and another strike in the southern Lebanese area of Froun.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported fatalities resulting from these strikes, including a drone attack that killed an individual on the Deir El-Zahrani road, as well as another casualty from the air strike in Froun. Following a truce on November 27, which concluded over a year of hostilities, Israel has continued periodic operations within Lebanese borders despite the established ceasefire.

Originally, Israel was set to withdraw from Lebanon by February 18 but has maintained its presence in several strategic locations, with the ceasefire stipulating that Hezbollah must retreat from its positioning south of the Litani River.

In summary, the release of five Lebanese detainees by Israel serves as a diplomatic gesture to improve relations with Lebanon’s new presidency and facilitate discussions on border stabilization. The establishment of joint working groups aims to address critical border issues and the status of detainees. However, the situation remains tense, as Israel continues to conduct military operations in Lebanon, asserting the need to counteract Hezbollah’s military capabilities despite the ceasefire in place.

Original Source: www.newarab.com