Israel Frees First of Five Lebanese Detainees

Israel will release five Lebanese nationals detained in the south of the country after finding no evidence linking them to militant groups. The announcement was made Thursday by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision comes amid negotiations with Lebanon over the search for the remains of members of the local Jewish community who were abducted and killed in the mid-1980s. Both countries have conducted several search operations in recent months.

Israel has already released one of the five, Malek Kamal Ghazi. According to Lebanese sources, he was a civilian, as are the other four people whom Israeli authorities are expected to release. They said 35 detained Lebanese nationals remain in Israel, including 20 civilians.

Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered framework agreement in June. It includes the release of detainees, the return of remains and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. It also calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, which the militant group rejects.

(Reuters, sab)