Israel has released five Lebanese detainees as a goodwill gesture towards Lebanon’s new president Joseph Aoun, coinciding with border discussions involving international mediators. This meeting led to the formation of working groups focusing on specific key border issues. Meanwhile, Israel has engaged in military strikes targeting Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire, indicating persistent regional tensions.
On Tuesday, Israel released five Lebanese prisoners in an act of goodwill towards Lebanon’s newly elected president, Joseph Aoun. This decision followed a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which coordinated with the United States, emphasizing collaboration to support the new leadership in Lebanon.
Four detainees were freed on the same day, with the fifth to follow shortly after. This release coincided with a meeting held in Naqoura, a Lebanese town near the border, involving representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and third-party mediators from France and the United States.
The discussions resulted in an agreement to establish three working groups aimed at stabilizing the region. The focus of these groups will include five key points in southern Lebanon controlled by Israel, examination of the Blue Line, and the issue of Lebanese detainees currently held in Israel.
The Blue Line has served as the de facto border since the year 2000 and is monitored by the United Nations. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, highlighted in an interview with the Lebanese news channel Al Jadeed that the U.S. is committed to resolving border disputes, stating there are still problematic areas that need addressing.
Despite the ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel reported the killing of a senior Hezbollah militant involved in drone and missile operations. Israeli military actions have continued to respond to perceived threats, performing air strikes in Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from rearming or establishing a presence near the border.
Among these military actions, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the death of Hassan Abbas Ezzedine, a Hezbollah operative. Reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed the fatalities following these strikes in the Nabatieh and Froun regions, amidst ongoing tensions despite the ceasefire reached in late November.
Initially, Israel was expected to withdraw from Lebanon fully by February 18 but has retained strategic positions within the country, while the ceasefire requires Hezbollah to relinquish military infrastructure south of the Litani River, approximately 20 miles from the border.
The release of Lebanese detainees by Israel reflects a significant step towards diplomatic relations amid persistent tensions in the region. The establishment of working groups signifies efforts toward stabilizing the border issues. Nonetheless, ongoing military actions illustrate the continued volatility in Israel-Lebanon relations, emphasizing the need for durable solutions to long-standing disputes.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
