{
  "id": 5388354,
  "title": "Israel announces release of five Lebanese hours after abducting three in border village",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/israel-announces-release-of-five-lebanese-hours-after-abducting-three-5388354",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T18:41:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/09/03/israel-releases-lebanon-prisoners-us-deal-halta-raid/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States has praised both Lebanon and Israel for a plan to release five Lebanese citizens detained in occupied southern Lebanon. This move comes after Israel abducted three individuals from a Lebanese village, causing widespread fear among the community. Lebanon welcomed the release, brokered by the US, and stated that the first detainee, Malek Ghazi, was freed on Thursday evening with assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross. The remaining four detainees were expected to be released on Friday morning.\n\nHowever, the announcement of the release coincided with the Israeli military's raid in the village of Halta, near the Golan Heights. Local officials and witnesses reported that Israeli troops entered houses at dawn, questioning about a dozen residents amid gunfire. Three villagers were abducted during the raid, which lasted for four hours, leaving many feeling terrified. Israeli troops searched homes extensively, preventing residents from leaving and issuing orders to remain indoors for their safety.\n\nThe US State Department confirmed that the release of the five Lebanese citizens was finalized in talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US ambassadors to Israel and Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed gratitude to the US administration and ambassador Michel Issa for their efforts in facilitating the release, emphasizing that it represents a step towards resolving the issue.",
  "summary": "The US has commended Lebanon and Israel over a plan for the release of five Lebanese citizens detained in occupied southern Lebanon. The move indicated a renewed diplomatic push between the countries, as Washington seeks to enable further dialogue before negotiations in Rome . Talks have stalled but reports suggest officials from the countries could meet in Italy this month. US optimism remains,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Israel releases five Lebanese citizens after abducting three",
    "Release facilitated by US State Department and US ambassadors",
    "Israeli raid in Halta village leaves three villagers abducted"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Israeli bombing seen behind journalist reporting from Lebanese village",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/israeli-bombing-seen-behind-journalist-reporting-from-lebanese-village",
        "published": "2026-09-03T16:56:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Israel begins handing over 5 Lebanese after Beirut helped find slain Jews’ remains",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/israel-begins-handing-over-5-lebanese-after-beirut-helped-find-slain",
        "published": "2026-09-03T18:15:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Israel announces release of five Lebanese hours after abducting three in border village",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/israel-announces-release-of-five-lebanese-hours-after-abducting-three",
        "published": "2026-09-03T18:41:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Three farmers detained by Israel in Lebanon, village leader says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/three-farmers-detained-by-israel-in-lebanon-village-leader-says",
        "published": "2026-09-03T19:34:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Israel releases first of 5 Lebanese prisoners",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/israel-releases-first-of-5-lebanese-prisoners",
        "published": "2026-09-03T19:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}