Israel Raises Jewish Remains Transfer in Lebanon Prisoner Talks Amid Stalled Negotiations

Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reported on Monday that Israel proposed a civilian prisoner exchange deal in talks with Lebanon, during which it raised the issue of the historic Jewish presence in Lebanon. Israel mentioned that Jews who left Lebanon years ago wish to transfer the remains of their relatives from Jewish cemeteries in Lebanon to cemeteries in Israel. The report highlighted that Israel referred to a significant number of remains in Jewish cemeteries in Beirut and Sidon.

Historically, thousands of Jews lived in Lebanon, with estimates ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 at the community's peak before the Six-Day War. The Jewish community was mainly centered in Beirut’s Wadi Abu Jamil neighborhood but gradually dispersed after Lebanon’s civil war. Moshe Zaafrani, who left Lebanon at age 14, noted in a 2024 interview that about 30 community members remain in Lebanon living discreetly, with one synagogue restored but inactive.

The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat also reported that the Israeli negotiation team demanded the return of Jewish remains killed during Lebanon’s civil war and sought information on missing Lebanese Jews, especially from the 1980s. Israel additionally requested information or remains related to Ron Arad, an Israeli airman missing since 1986. Lebanese sources described these demands as impossible to fulfill, stating Lebanon has no knowledge of these remains or Arad’s fate. These topics were reportedly raised during 2022 maritime border talks mediated by the US, but Lebanon lacks the capacity to provide answers.

Last week, Lebanese broadcaster LBCI reported that Lebanon exchanged preliminary lists of prisoners and missing persons with Israel, which presented a list including names of missing and deceased Lebanese Jews. Meanwhile, a diplomatic source told Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen that no new Lebanon-Israel negotiations are planned for next month, with any new round likely postponed until after summer. The source added that Israel and the US have rejected expanding pilot zones until progress is made in existing areas and demanded Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the Ali Taher ridge near Nabatieh. Lebanon rejected Israel’s claims that all explosions in southern Lebanon target military infrastructure.