Salam addresses issue of Lebanese prisoners in Israel with ICRC regional director

BEIRUT — Lebanese PM and President discuss fate of Lebanese detainees in Israeli prisons with ICRC official

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun met separately on Thursday with Nicolas von Arx, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s regional director for the Near and Middle East, to discuss, among other issues, the situation of Lebanese detainees in Israeli prisons, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

During the meeting, Salam stressed the need for the ICRC to help verify the number of prisoners, determine their fate and whereabouts, and ensure their humanitarian conditions and health status. He added that “Lebanon demands that the international community and organizations pressure Israel until the prisoners return home,” according to the NNA.

President Aoun, for his part, reiterated that “the return of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel is a national priority, as the state does not abandon its people.” He noted that some detainees were arrested after the November 2024 cease-fire in southern Lebanon while inspecting their homes and property, and urged the ICRC to provide information on their situation and ensure their safety.

In early June, a fisherman was abducted off Ras Naqoura in southern Lebanon, followed by the kidnapping of a shepherd near Shebaa, bringing to nine the total number of Lebanese civilians detained by the Israeli army, according to figures from that time.

The Red Cross has played a key role in facilitating hostage and prisoner exchanges between Israel and Palestinian factions as part of the three ceasefire agreements in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack.

The issue of Lebanese detainees has been raised in ongoing talks on the implementation of the ceasefire terms between Israel and Hezbollah, with their release included in U.S. envoy Tom Barrack’s roadmap for enforcing the truce.

President Aoun also outlined Lebanon’s diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel to end its attacks, withdraw from occupied areas, and release prisoners, while noting Israel’s lack of response to international pressure to stop its aggression.

For his part, von Arx, accompanied by a delegation, discussed the ICRC’s field visits to areas in Lebanon affected by Israeli attacks, where they documented damage to homes, property, land, and orchards.

He said he would prepare reports following these tours and mentioned a global initiative to renew political commitment to international humanitarian law, including plans for a major international conference on humanity in wartime to be held in late 2026, open to all countries.

Earlier in the day, von Arx presented Salam with the findings of his visit, including trips to southern Lebanon and updates on ICRC projects in water and infrastructure.