'Freedom has no price': Israel releases 4 civilians abducted in southern Lebanon and held captive
Israel released four detainees this morning, two Lebanese and two Syrians, who were transferred to Lebanon via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), announced the humanitarian organization in a statement.
Read our full report here.
One of the Lebanese men released had been detained in Israel since June, according to his brother
Hussein Abdallah Ayache, a Lebanese civilian released by Israel this morning, had been detained in Israel since June and had been captured in Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh), according to a statement made by his brother to the local press. He is originally from Harouf, in the same region. “He had been detained for about two months and twenty days,” he said, calling for the release of all the captives. “Why was he arrested? We don’t know. The important thing is that he has been released,” his brother continued.
“We thank everyone who helped us. We were anxious, just like the other families of the detainees. Let’s hope that all the captives will be released. Freedom is priceless,” he concluded.
Release of 4 detainees held by Israel: Aoun thanks US and welcomes ‘effectiveness of Lebanon’s firm stance’
President Joseph Aoun thanked the United States following the release over the past two days of five civilians detained in Israel and transferred to Lebanon, in a message posted on X by the Lebanese Presidency.
He also welcomed “the effectiveness of Lebanon’s firm stance, in all its aspects, as well as the need to continue with the necessary steps set out in the trilateral framework,” referring to the framework agreement signed at the end of June between Beirut and Tel Aviv, under the auspices of Washington, and strongly criticized by Hezbollah.
The President “expressed his gratitude for all the steps taken and efforts made, notably by the United States of America, under the leadership of its President Donald Trump, as well as by international parties, foremost among which is the International Committee of the Red Cross,” according to the aforementioned message. He also reaffirmed his desire for the “restoration of full Lebanese sovereignty” and the return of all Lebanese captives in Israel. He concluded by “renewing his commitment” to ensuring that the state retains a monopoly on the use of force, so that “citizens are not subject to any sovereignty other than that of their state."
ICRC convoy en route to Naqoura, pending release of 4 detainees held by Israel
A convoy from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) set off this morning for Naqoura, in the far south of Lebanon, whilst the country awaits Israel’s release of four people abducted in recent months, according to our correspondent in the south.
The convoy was seen passing through the Lebanese military checkpoint at Aamrieh, the last one before the Israeli-occupied ‘buffer zone’ in the south.
On Thursday, Israel announced the release of five detainees – Lebanese and Syrians – as a “gesture of goodwill” towards Lebanon and in order to restart direct negotiations. One of them, Malek Ghazi, who had been abducted in October 2025 in the Rashaya region, had already been released yesterday.
⚡ Four people released by Israel transferred to Lebanon via ICRC
As expected, Israel released four detainees this morning, who were transferred to Lebanon by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the humanitarian organization announced in a statement.
They are two Lebanese nationals, Hussein Abdallah Ayache and Ali Hassan Chour, and two Syrians, Assaad Mahmoud Haske and Sam Ibrahim al-Samad, reports our correspondent in the South. They had previously been captured and taken hostage by Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
The transfer took place “with full respect for the safety and dignity of those concerned,” the ICRC stated, adding that “this operation was strictly humanitarian” and carried out “in its capacity as a neutral intermediary between Israel and Lebanon.” “Many families in Lebanon are still awaiting answers regarding the fate of their loved ones, who may be detained, deceased or of whom there is still no news. The ICRC continues to liaise with the families themselves and remains determined to shed light on the fate of their loved ones,” the humanitarian organization concluded.
On Thursday, Israel announced the release of five detainees — Lebanese and Syrians — as part of the now stalled direct negotiations. One of them, Malek Ghazi, who had been abducted in October 2025 in the Rashaya region, was released early Thursday morning.
Halta municipality member released by Israeli army following his abduction the previous day
Early this morning, Israeli forces released Hatem Abdel Aal, a councilor from the border village of Halta (Hasbaya) in southern Lebanon, who had been abducted from his home the previous day by the Israeli army, along with around fifteen other residents. He was released at the Majidieh crossroads.
Two of the Halta residents abducted on Thursday therefore remain in Israeli custody. According to information relayed by our correspondent, they are believed to be Qassem Abdel Aal and Za’al Abdel Aal.
JD Vance downplays combat operations against Iran, despite civilian casualties
Despite the resumption of attacks this week between Iran and the U.S., U.S. Vice-President JD Vance has refused to describe the situation as “a war,” at a time when the conflict is a source of discontent amongst U.S. voters in the run-up to the November mid-term elections.
“I wouldn’t call it a war. At the moment, there is no exchange of fire,” he said, according to AFP. A lull was observed during the night from Thursday to Friday.
South Lebanon: Israel continues overnight attacks on the Nabatieh region
No Israeli attacks were reported on Ali Taher Hill last night, following the announcement that Israeli forces had taken control of it.
Israel, however, continued its attacks on the Nabatieh region. Loud explosions were heard in Kfar Tibnit, and artillery fire targeted Doha Kfar Roummane, Kfar Roummane, Mayfadoun, and Nabatieh Fawqa, according to information from our correspondent in southern Lebanon. Israeli soldiers have also set up a new observation post in a house in Zawtar Sharqieh.
Furthermore, Israel carried out several demolition operations in Mansouri (Sour), where artillery and machine-gun fire were also heard. A Merkava tank positioned in Bayyada also fired several shells towards the coastal village.
In the Bint Jbeil district, in the central sector, major explosions took place in Srebbine, and medium-caliber machine-gun fire was directed towards Haddatha. Artillery fire also targeted Qantara (Marjayoun).
On Thursday, according to a summary of incidents provided by our correspondent, the Israeli air force struck four towns, whilst twelve others were targeted by sustained artillery fire. The Israeli army also carried out demolition operations in six towns, destroying numerous houses, buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Conflicting claims over Israeli ‘operational control’ of Nabatieh's Ali Taher hills following months of battles with Hezbollah:
The Israeli army last night announced that it had taken "operational control" of the Ali Taher ridge, without providing further evidence. Notably, this is not the first time such an announcement has been made following the June "cease-fire."
Shortly after, the Israeli outlet Maariv cited a military source saying that "no Iranian advisers or members of the Revolutionary Guards have been found there since the beginning of the army's operations in the area."
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu then declared the alleged capture a "strategic success" and said that the "Ali Taher hill no longer poses a threat to us."
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