Israel to Release Five Lebanese Prisoners as Diplomatic Gesture
Israel is set to release five Lebanese prisoners on Thursday as a political gesture to the Lebanese government. Arab media reported that one of the individuals being released is 20-year-old Kamal Ghazi, who disappeared near the northern Israeli border in October 2025 after going out for training. Ghazi is expected to be transferred back to Lebanon via the Ras Naqoura crossing, according to Ynet.
An Israeli official confirmed the details, stating the move is "an Israeli gesture to the Lebanese government." The official added that the decision was discussed this week in the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem during a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michelle Sison, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Hankey.
Despite this diplomatic goodwill, Israeli military officials expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing pilot program in southern Lebanon. They indicated that the Lebanese army is not making the expected progress in clearing terrorist infrastructure in the rural area, which is the focus of the pilot program.
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