Lebanese civilian Malek Ghazi released by Israel and handed to Lebanese forces

In the first prisoner exchange since the outbreak of the current Israel-Hezbollah war, Israel released Malek Ghazi, a Lebanese civilian who had been held in Israeli custody. The International Committee of the Red Cross coordinated the transfer at the Naqoura crossing on Lebanon’s southern frontier, and the Lebanese army subsequently moved him to its intelligence headquarters in Tyre. Lebanese security sources, speaking anonymously, indicated that a second release could be imminent.

The move comes as diplomatic negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have hit a deadlock, even after a June framework deal that called for Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament. A new round of talks is slated for Rome later this month. The Israeli military did not comment on the release.