Israel releases five Lebanese detainees in Red Cross-mediated handover

Israel has completed the release of five Lebanese civilians, including Malek Ghazi, in a US-brokered, Red Cross-mediated handover. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the individuals had no terror ties. The release is linked to Lebanese efforts to locate the remains of Jewish community leaders killed in the 1980s. However, the diplomatic breakthrough was accompanied by tension, as Israeli forces raided the border village of Halta on September 3, 2026, detaining three residents.

Release of Lebanese detainees

• ▪The remaining four detainees, including Hussein Ayash and Mohammed Juheir, were released and transferred to Lebanon on September 4, 2026.
• ▪Israel released five Lebanese civilians from detention in a Red Cross-mediated handover completed on September 4, 2026.
• ▪The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that the five released individuals were questioned and found not to be members of terrorist organizations or involved in terrorism.
• ▪The first of the five detainees, Malek Ghazi of Ain Ata, was released on September 3, 2026, at the Naqoura crossing and transferred to Lebanese army intelligence in Tyre.
• ▪The Lebanese Association for Prisoners and Released Detainees compiled a list of 36 cases of Lebanese citizens believed to be held in Israeli detention.

US-brokered diplomatic negotiations

• ▪The release of the five Lebanese civilians was brokered by the United States as part of ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanon.
• ▪Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun thanked the United States administration, including President Donald Trump, for facilitating the release.
• ▪The United States State Department official stated that the release agreement was finalized during talks on September 2, 2026, between Benjamin Netanyahu and the US ambassadors to Israel and Lebanon.

Israeli raid in Halta village

• ▪The September 3, 2026 raid in Halta brought the total number of people abducted by Israeli forces in the village to seven since March 2, 2026.
• ▪Local official Haitham Abdel Aal stated that about 300 Israeli military personnel entered Halta, surrounded homes, and conducted extensive searches for four hours.
• ▪Israeli forces conducted a raid in the southern Lebanese village of Halta on September 3, 2026, abducting three residents for questioning.

Jewish community remains recovery

• ▪During bilateral talks in Rome in August 2026, Israel provided Lebanese officials with a list of specific individuals to demand the return of their remains.
• ▪The release of the five Lebanese civilians is linked to efforts by Lebanon to locate and return the remains of Lebanese Jewish community leaders abducted and killed in the 1980s.

Red Cross humanitarian transfers

• ▪The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the physical transfer of the five released individuals across the Naqoura border crossing into Lebanon.
• ▪The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that it has not been granted access to detainees held inside Israel since October 2023.

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