Israel has agreed to release five Lebanese detainees as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s new president, following a diplomatic meeting aimed at stabilizing border relations. This action reflects ongoing negotiations involving the United States and France, amidst a ceasefire with Hezbollah, while military tensions persist in the region.
On Tuesday, Israel announced its decision to release five Lebanese citizens, who were detained during the war with Lebanon, as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s newly appointed president. This announcement was made by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating the release is coordinated with the United States. A key purpose of this gesture is to foster diplomatic relations with Lebanon at this pivotal time.
The decision followed a meeting in Naqoura, where representatives from the Israeli army, the United States, France, and Lebanon convened. The meeting resulted in an agreement to form three joint working groups focused on stabilizing the region. These groups will address five controlled points in southern Lebanon, the Blue Line—UN’s demarcation line since 2000—and the status of Lebanese detainees held by Israel.
In a subsequent report, it was noted that Israel’s release of the detainees aligns with ongoing negotiations to resolve border disputes with Lebanon. An unidentified U.S. official confirmed that the detainees include both civilians and soldiers. U.S. deputy special envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, stated, “I’ll let the government of Lebanon make the announcement of who is in the mix. But there are some soldiers and civilians in the mix of five”.
Moreover, following a U.S.-French mediated truce on November 27, hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel were subdued, ending a year of conflict. Despite this ceasefire, Israel has carried out air strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah members to prevent rearming activities. Additionally, the ceasefire mandated Hezbollah’s withdrawal north of the Litani River and the dismantling of military infrastructure in the area.
Although Israel had an initial timeline to complete its troop withdrawal from Lebanese territory by February 18, the decision was made to maintain a military presence at five strategic locations after missing the January deadline. This ongoing complexity in border relations reflects the fragile status of peace and cooperation between the two nations.
In summary, Israel’s decision to release five Lebanese detainees signifies a strategic move towards improving diplomatic relations with Lebanon amidst ongoing border negotiations. The establishment of joint working groups reflects efforts to stabilize tensions in the region while addressing territorial disputes and humanitarian issues. The truce between Hezbollah and Israel, combined with ongoing military precautions, indicates that the situation remains delicate and requires continuous diplomatic engagement.
Original Source: news.az
