Israel’s release of 5 Lebanese detainees follows progress in search for remains of 12 Lebanese Jews murdered in the 1980s

Israel’s decision to release five Lebanese citizens captured during the war partly reflects progress in talks with Beirut over the search for 12 members of Lebanon’s Jewish community kidnapped and murdered some 40 years ago, i24NEWS has learned.

The Israeli effort is being led by Hostages and Missing Persons Coordinator Gal Hirsch, who personally presented Lebanese representatives with maps and diagrams during talks in Rome.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Hirsch to raise the case with Lebanese officials when the negotiations began. Israel subsequently provided intelligence, including maps, aerial photographs and other information pointing to possible locations of the remains.

Lebanese authorities began search operations following the talks, although no remains or other evidence have yet been found.

Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa presented Netanyahu with videos and photographs showing that Lebanese authorities were carrying out the searches agreed during the negotiations.

Israeli officials say Lebanese parties are cooperating and that the effort is continuing with U.S. assistance.

The case was also formally incorporated into the negotiations under Article 13, which obligates the Lebanese government to work to locate the 12 victims.

The effort has renewed hope among relatives who have spent decades waiting for their loved ones’ remains to be recovered.

Lebanon’s cooperation, along with the material documenting its search efforts, was among the considerations that led Netanyahu to approve the release of the five detainees, according to Israeli officials.