Israel released four Lebanese captives and agreed to border talks with Lebanon, following a statement from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The release is seen as a diplomatic gesture towards Lebanon, coinciding with the establishment of working groups, supported by the US and France, to address the demarcation of the border and ongoing territorial disputes.
Israel has released four Lebanese captives, a move that coincided with its agreement to initiate discussions regarding the demarcation of the border with Lebanon. Reports indicate that the hostages arrived at a hospital in Tyre, southern Lebanon. The release was confirmed by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office, which also anticipates the return of a fifth captive shortly thereafter.
The daytime handover comes as Israel has expressed willingness to engage in talks concerning the border’s delineation. This gesture is characterized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office as a conciliatory act towards the Lebanese presidency. Notably, the agreement involves cooperation with Lebanon, the United States, and France to form working groups aimed at addressing these border disputes.
US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus remarked that the United States aims to achieve a definitive political resolution to the ongoing border disagreements. She pointed out that both the US and France, having previously brokered a ceasefire in November between Israel and Hezbollah, have organized working groups to ensure progress in these matters.
These working groups are expected to tackle the border conflicts and the continued Israeli occupation of five strategic locations within southern Lebanon. The ceasefire agreement concluded a year-long conflict between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, establishing terms for withdrawal and dismantling of military infrastructure by Hezbollah north of the Litani River, approximately 20 miles from the border.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has yet to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory, maintaining positions in five areas deemed strategic, even after a deadline for withdrawal had passed. As reported by Al Jazeera, the presence of Israeli troops in these locations remains a critical issue in the resolution of outstanding matters. “There are still a lot of problems here,” said a regional analyst, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
The release of four Lebanese captives by Israel and the agreement to converse on border delineation exemplify a significant diplomatic effort between Israel and Lebanon. This development indicates a step forward in addressing border disputes and may pave the way for enhanced cooperation with American and French mediation. Nevertheless, the lingering Israeli presence in strategically important Lebanese territories presents ongoing challenges, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and resolution.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
