Israel Releases Lebanese Prisoner in First Handover Since Latest Hezbollah War

Israel on Thursday released a Lebanese man from detention, marking the first such handover since the latest war with Iran-backed Hezbollah erupted six months ago. Four more Lebanese detainees are also expected to be released as Israel and Lebanon continue negotiations that have largely stalled.

Malek Kamal Ghazi, who was captured in October 2025, was handed over to Lebanese authorities by the International Committee of the Red Cross at the Naqoura border crossing, according to Reuters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Ghazi was among five Lebanese citizens scheduled for release after authorities determined that they had no links to militant groups.

Lebanese sources told Reuters that Ghazi and the other four detainees were civilians. The circumstances surrounding Ghazi’s capture remain unclear.

The release comes as Israel and Lebanon are also negotiating the return of the remains of Jewish community leaders who were kidnapped and killed in Lebanon in the mid-1980s. Netanyahu’s office said the two sides have made several efforts in recent months to locate the remains, including ground operations.

Meanwhile, broader negotiations between Israel and Lebanon have struggled to make progress.

Following Ghazi’s release, Lebanese sources said 35 Lebanese detainees remain in Israeli custody, including 20 civilians.

Another round of talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials is expected to take place in Rome later this month, as both sides seek to address outstanding issues and ease tensions along their border.