Israel Expected to Release 5 Lebanese Prisoners Amid US-Mediated Talks

Israel is anticipated to release five Lebanese prisoners on Thursday, a move coordinated with the United States. Israeli Channel 12 reported the release as an Israeli gesture within the framework of ongoing negotiations between the two countries. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, citing an Israeli source, also confirmed the expected release of five Lebanese detainees.

A Lebanese security source told Arab media that the Lebanese army would receive a Lebanese citizen held by Israeli forces through the Red Cross. Channel 12 noted that the prisoner release coincides with a trial operation in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli military transferred responsibility to the Lebanese army to remove Hezbollah from the area. The Israeli military described this trial operation as unsuccessful.

The issue of prisoners was a formal topic during the seventh round of U.S.-mediated talks held in Rome in August. Both sides exchanged initial lists of detainees and missing persons. Lebanese sources indicated that Lebanon's initial demand was the release of civilian prisoners and detainees.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on August 7 that "positive progress" had been made on the prisoner issue, though no final agreement on further releases had been announced at that time. In March 2025, Israel released five Lebanese prisoners to Lebanon, also coordinated with the U.S. and alongside progress in border talks. Four were transferred on March 11, with the fifth, a Lebanese army soldier, transferred later.