Key facts
- The Red Cross facilitated the transfer of four individuals from Israeli detention to Lebanon on Friday.
- A fifth individual was released on Thursday.
- Israel stated the released individuals were civilians not involved in terrorism.
- The four freed on Friday included Lebanese and Syrian nationals.
- The released individuals were to undergo medical examinations and questioning by Lebanese authorities.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Friday that it had facilitated the transfer of four individuals, detained by Israel, to Lebanon. This follows the release of a fifth person on Thursday. Israel stated that the five individuals were civilians who had not engaged in terrorism.
The four individuals transferred on Friday were identified as two Lebanese and two Syrian nationals. They were met by Lebanese authorities in Tyre, where they are expected to undergo medical evaluations and be questioned by the military's intelligence service.
One of the released detainees, Hussein Ayyash, recounted his experience of being detained in June by Israeli soldiers, blindfolded, and moved between locations before being transferred to a prison in Israel. He stated he met other Lebanese individuals in the Israeli prison and was interrogated there.
Another released individual, Malek Ghazi, had been missing since October 2025 and was held in Beersheba prison for 11 months. His uncle, Yasser Ghazi, a journalist, reportedly contacted the US ambassador to Lebanon, Nada Moawad, to help secure Malek's release.
These releases mark the first since Lebanon requested the return of detainees during direct talks with Israel in August. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed gratitude for the efforts, particularly those of the United States and the ICRC. Israel occupies approximately seven percent of Lebanese territory.