US officials announced an agreement between Lebanon and Israel to hold diplomatic talks to resolve several outstanding issues between the two countries, mediated by the United States. This announcement coincided with the release of five Lebanese prisoners following military talks held in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura.
According to a statement from the US State Department’s Office of Near Eastern Affairs, the talks will address The release of Lebanese prisoners detained by Israel, The resolution of disputed points along the Blue Line separating the two countries., Discussions regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from five areas in southern Lebanon still under their control, The statement noted that the military talks in Naqoura concluded on Tuesday, resulting in the release of five Lebanese prisoners, four of whom were immediately returned to Lebanon, while the fifth was handed over to the Lebanese Red Cross the following day.
The United States affirmed its commitment to supporting the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, expressing its anticipation for swift diplomatic meetings of working groups tasked with resolving disputes, in cooperation with international partners.
In a statement from the Lebanese Presidency, President Joseph Aoun clarified that Lebanon received the five prisoners following negotiations conducted by the committee overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the south. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that the decision to hold talks was made during a quadripartite meeting involving representatives from the Israeli army, the United States, France, and Lebanon.
US officials revealed that the administration of President Donald Trump had been mediating between Israel and Lebanon for several weeks, aiming to strengthen the ceasefire agreement and establish a timeline for upcoming negotiations. One official confirmed that Israel made a goodwill gesture by releasing the Lebanese prisoners, including a Hezbollah member, in a move described as a positive signal toward the new Lebanese president.
A White House official noted that, as part of the agreement, trilateral working groups comprising diplomats from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon will be formed to address land border disputes between the two countries, negotiate the issue of Lebanese prisoners detained by Israel, and discuss the terms of Israel’s withdrawal from the five remaining areas in southern Lebanon.
These negotiations are expected to begin next month, complementing the historic maritime border demarcation agreement reached in 2022, mediated by the administration of former US President Joe Biden. The ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024 also indicates that these talks will be a step toward resolving land border disputes between the two parties.
