Israel frees four more Lebanese prisoners in Red Cross-mediated handover

Four more Lebanese prisoners have been released from Israeli detention and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in a transfer facilitated by the organization. This follows the release of a first prisoner the previous day. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed gratitude for the efforts, specifically thanking the United States under President Donald Trump and the ICRC. The releases are part of a process brokered by the US aimed at ending hostilities between Lebanon and Israel. The ICRC confirmed it facilitated the transfer of five individuals released from Israeli detention at the request of the parties involved. The releases come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to free five Lebanese prisoners.

A Lebanese man, Malek Ghazi, was released from Israeli detention and handed over to Lebanon on Thursday, marking the first such exchange since the current Israel-Hezbollah war began six months ago. The release was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and involved five Lebanese civilians detained by Israeli forces. Israel stated the release was in exchange for Lebanon's assistance in searching for the bodies of Lebanese Jewish leaders abducted and murdered in the 1980s. Ghazi was transferred to the Lebanese army intelligence office in Tyre. This prisoner exchange occurs as negotiations between Lebanon and Israel over Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament remain at an impasse, with another round of talks expected in Rome.

Israel has released one Lebanese civilian detainee, Malek Ghazi, and pledged to free five other prisoners. This marks the first such handover since the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict began six months ago. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel agreed to the release after Beirut assisted in locating the bodies of Lebanese Jewish leaders abducted and murdered in the 1980s. The five detainees were found not to be involved in terrorism. Malek Ghazi was handed over to the Lebanese army via the International Committee of the Red Cross at the border crossing in Naqoura. This release is the first since US-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel commenced in April.

Belarus has released Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut from jail as part of a prisoner exchange with Poland. The swap, confirmed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, involved ten individuals and was facilitated by diplomatic efforts from the United States, Romania, and Moldova. Poczobut, who had been detained since 2021 and sentenced to eight years, was released along with Polish priest Grzegorz Gawel and a Belarusian national. This move signals Belarus's potential interest in improving relations with the West, which have been strained by its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The exchange is described as the culmination of a two-year diplomatic effort.