Israel begins handing over 5 Lebanese after Beirut helped find slain Jews’ remains

The United States has expressed support for Lebanon and Israel in a plan to release five Lebanese citizens detained in occupied southern Lebanon. This development signals a renewed diplomatic effort between the two nations, as Washington aims to facilitate further dialogue before negotiations in Rome. However, talks have been stalled, with sources suggesting possible meetings in Italy this month.

Despite Israel's abduction of three additional individuals from a Lebanese village, the Israeli military confirmed that the five detainees would be released as they are civilians "not engaged in terrorism."

The Israeli military admitted to the five individuals being released as civilians who were not involved in terrorism. This release is connected to negotiations over the return of the bodies of Jewish community leaders killed in Lebanon during the 1980s. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office revealed this information. Lebanon welcomed the release, brokered by the US, with the first handover occurring on Thursday evening. The remaining four detainees were expected to be released on Friday morning.

On the same day, Israel launched a raid in occupied southern Lebanon, specifically targeting Halta, a mainly Sunni village near the occupied Golan Heights. This raid lasted for several hours, during which Israeli troops entered homes and questioned about a dozen villagers amid gunfire. Three residents were taken away, while the remaining individuals remained unaccounted for. Villagers reported enduring four hours of "pure terror," unaware of the purpose or destination of their abductees.

Haitham Abdel Aal, a local official whose brother was among those taken, explained that they were unaware of the reasons behind the arrests or the whereabouts of those detained. Lebanon's State of Terror: The first free individual was Malek Ghazi, who had been missing since October of the previous year. Ghazi was released at the Naqoura crossing, with assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He was apprehended while walking near Mount Hermon. Netanyahu's office stated that after interrogations, it was determined that Ghazi was a Lebanese citizen with no ties to terrorism and no reason for continued detention.

US State Department officials revealed that the release was finalized in talks between Netanyahu and the US ambassadors to Israel and Lebanon, aiming to pave the way for expanded discussions. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked the US administration and ambassador Michel Issa for their efforts, emphasizing that the safe return of any freed Lebanese citizen is a significant step towards resolving the issue.

About 300 military personnel were deployed into Halta around 6:30 AM on the day of the raid, taking over three houses and conducting extensive searches. Villagers reported that no homes were left untouched, and Israeli soldiers used loudspeakers to instruct residents to remain in their homes "for their safety." A dozen phone calls were made to those inside, with some not answering.

Abdel Aal expressed confidence that his brother would be released, stating that he had done nothing wrong.