Israel to Release 5 Lebanese Prisoners as Goodwill Gesture

Israel is expected to release five Lebanese prisoners held in its custody on Thursday, in coordination with the United States. This move is described as a goodwill gesture within the framework of ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

The issue of detainees was a formal agenda item during the seventh round of talks held in Rome in August 2026, mediated by the U.S. Both sides reportedly exchanged initial lists of detainees and missing persons. Lebanese sources indicated that Lebanon's initial demand was the release of a group of civilian detainees.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on August 7, 2026, that "positive progress" had been made regarding the prisoners, though a final agreement for further releases had not yet been announced. This planned release follows a similar action in March 2025, when Israel released five Lebanese individuals, including a Lebanese army soldier, to Lebanon. At that time, the Prime Minister's office characterized the release as a "gesture to the President of Lebanon," coordinated with the U.S., and occurring alongside progress in border talks.