Israel to Release Five Lebanese Prisoners in US-Mediated Deal

Israel is set to release five Lebanese prisoners to Lebanon on Wednesday, as part of a gesture coordinated with the United States amid ongoing negotiations between Jerusalem and Beirut. The issue of detainees was officially raised during talks in Rome last month, according to a report by Channel 12 News.

The prisoner exchange was included in the seventh round of discussions between Israel and Lebanon, held in Rome in August with American mediation. During these talks, both sides exchanged initial lists of detainees and missing persons. Lebanese sources indicated that the Beirut government requested the first phase of the process involve the release of a group of civilian detainees.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on August 7 that "positive progress" had been made on the matter, though a final agreement had not yet been announced. This is not the first time Israel has undertaken such a move. In March 2025, Israel released five Lebanese civilians it held, a step described by the Prime Minister's Office as a "gesture to the Lebanese President," coordinated with the U.S. and coinciding with progress in border talks.

The current move aims to advance negotiations between the parties and continue efforts to stabilize relations along the northern border.