Salam meets with families of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed on Thursday morning a delegation from the Committee of Families of Lebanese Detainees in Israeli Prisons, in the presence of Hezbollah MP Hussein al-Hajj Hassan, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Fatima Karaki, sister of wounded detainee Hussein Karaki, said the meeting was "reassuring" and that Salam confirmed "ongoing efforts through diplomatic, international, and U.N. channels." She added that families "requested increased engagement with the Red Cross" to determine the fate and conditions of their loved ones, expressing hope that the Lebanese state would secure their release.

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For his part, Abbas Kabalan, a member of the Committee, stressed that no clear information is available regarding the detainees’ fate or conditions. He called on the Lebanese state to assume "full responsibility and take more effective action beyond correspondence with international bodies."

Following the meeting, Hassan said that the delegation "submitted a memorandum outlining their vision for following up on the detainees’ file." He stated that there are 20 Lebanese detainees currently held by Israel: 10 captured during the recent war, including nine on the battlefield and one abducted from Batroun, and 10 civilians abducted from Lebanese territory after the cessation of hostilities on 27 Nov. 2024.

Hassan noted that "some detainees are wounded or suffer from illnesses," and that Israel has "so far refused any visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross, preventing access to information or the exchange of messages."

One of the nine abductees

‘Every time I eat, I worry he is being starved’: Mortada Mhanna, 42, abducted in Bint Jbeil on Feb. 16, 2025

He described this as "a grave violation" and said that Salam showed "a positive and understanding approach," confirming that the detainees’ file would be treated as a national priority and followed directly through all relevant ministries and diplomatic channels. A legal memorandum was also submitted, which Salam fully endorsed.

The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister detailed the names of the detainees, dates and circumstances of their abduction, including cases occurring after the cease-fire, as well as 42 missing persons and martyrs whose remains may be withheld.

It accused Israel of systematic torture, denial of basic needs, medical neglect, and degrading treatment, in violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.