Key facts
- Three Lebanese farmers were detained by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
- The detentions occurred in the village of Halta, located in an area Israel occupies.
- Israeli forces reportedly contacted the farmers via mobile phone and instructed them to report to a location.
- One Lebanese civilian, Malek Ghazi, was released by Israel, with four more expected Friday.
- Stalled US-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon cover disarmament, withdrawal, and army deployment.
- Hezbollah rejects the ongoing negotiation framework.
Three Lebanese farmers were detained by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, according to Issa Abedelaal, the leader of their village. The farmers were reportedly called to a location by phone and then taken away by Israeli forces who had entered the village of Halta in Hasbaya province. This area is within territory that Israel continues to occupy.
The detentions were reported to the US-led International Monitoring and Implementation Mechanism. The Israeli military has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Hours after the detentions, Israel released another Lebanese civilian, Malek Ghazi, who had been missing since October. Israel stated that four more Lebanese civilians are scheduled for release on Friday. Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed Ghazi's release and thanked the U.S. for its role, vowing to continue working for the release of all Lebanese detainees and an Israeli withdrawal.
The issue of detainees is part of broader U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. These talks, which have stalled, aim to establish a framework for Hezbollah's disarmament, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south. However, progress has been minimal, with disagreements over the Lebanese army's role and verification methods. Hezbollah has rejected the talks and the proposed 'pilot zone' concept.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Israel has continued its attacks on southern Lebanon, with officials indicating an expansion of Israeli military positions. Lebanese authorities reported that 11 people were killed in an Israeli air strike in August, which the Israeli Defense Forces stated targeted a Hezbollah commander.