Kathmandu— Israel has released four additional Lebanese nationals held in Israeli detention, with the International Committee of the Red Cross facilitating the handover at the Naqoura border crossing, following a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to free five Lebanese prisoners, marking the first such transfer since the escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict six months ago.

Prisoner Release Details

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the transfer of five individuals released from Israeli detention, with the convoy observed by Associated Press and Anadolu news agency reporters heading toward the Naqoura border crossing and later entering a Lebanese army barracks in Tyre.

The released prisoners include Hussein Ayash from Harouf village and Mohammed Juheir, a fisherman from Naqoura, alongside Malek Ghazi, who was freed on Thursday as the first of the five. The ICRC stated that the transfer was conducted at the request of the relevant parties, emphasizing the role of international mediation in the process.

Lebanon's government has vowed to fulfill the terms of the US-brokered framework agreement, aiming to restore sovereignty without compromising territorial integrity or the safety of its citizens.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.