Lebanon Receives Four Released Detainees Via Red Cross

Lebanon received four Lebanese detainees released from the Israeli side on Friday, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This follows the handover of a fifth Lebanese detainee on Thursday evening, completing a two-day transfer process coordinated with involved parties.

The ICRC announced on Friday that it had facilitated the transfer of four additional individuals to Lebanon after their release from the Israeli side. The organization stated that the operation was conducted "at the request of the concerned parties," clarifying that one person was transferred on Thursday and the other four on Friday.

According to media reports, an ICRC convoy proceeded to the Ras Naqoura area on the border to receive the four detainees from the Israeli side. After their reception, the convoy continued towards the Al-Mansouri area, south of the city of Tyre, where the released individuals were handed over to the Lebanese army. The ICRC's role was to facilitate the transfer process between the two sides as requested.

Details regarding the identities of the four detainees who arrived on Friday, the duration of their detention, or the circumstances of their release were not provided. Lebanese President Michel Aoun stated that the release of this first group of detainees "confirms the validity of the Lebanese position" and stressed the need to complete the path toward restoring Lebanon's full sovereignty. He also praised the efforts of the United States, led by President Donald Trump, and other international entities involved in the process, specifically commending the ICRC's role.

Aoun emphasized that completing the necessary steps should lead to the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty, encompassing Lebanese territory and its people. He stated the goal is for all Lebanese to live with dignity in a free country, with weapons confined to the legitimate forces and sovereignty exclusively held by the Lebanese state. These remarks reflect Beirut's focus on advancing the political track related to the issue concurrently with the detainee releases.