Lebanese Detainees Released by Israel Through Red Cross | JP

Thursday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision to release five Lebanese detainees held by Israel as a goodwill gesture conducted as part of contacts between the sides, in exchange for advancing efforts to locate the remains of historic Jewish community leaders in Lebanon.

“In recent months, extensive efforts have been made to locate them, both by Lebanon and by Israel, including field operations,” the statement said. “In light of this significant activity, it was decided to release five Lebanese citizens who were detained in areas under IDF control in southern Lebanon.”

The Prime Minister further explained that the detainees are not members of terrorist organizations and there is no further reason to hold them: “In recent months, extensive efforts have been made to locate them, both by Lebanon and by Israel, including field operations. In light of this significant activity, it was decided to release five Lebanese citizens who were detained in areas under IDF control in southern Lebanon. After completing their interrogation, it became clear that they are civilians who are not members of a terrorist organization, were not engaged in terrorism, and there is no reason to continue holding them in Israel.”