The families of Lebanese people detained by Israeli forces during their invasion of south Lebanon have urged officials to make their release a priority in ongoing negotiations, warning that the issue has been neglected despite months of diplomatic talks.
Speaking to The New Arab, relatives of detainees and rights advocates said Lebanese officials must press Israel for information about those being held and demand their release during talks aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas of south Lebanon.
Their calls come as the number of Lebanese detainees held by Israel has risen to more than 37, while the fate of four young men who disappeared near the southern border on 15 June remains unknown.
The issue remains unresolved despite multiple rounds of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. On Tuesday, Lebanese and Israeli officials held a fifth round of talks in Washington focused on ceasefire arrangements, security measures and Israel’s continued occupation of parts of southern Lebanon.
Families and rights groups say the detainees’ issue has seen little progress since 2024.
Ahmed Taleb, head of the Lebanese Association of Prisoners, told The New Arab that authorities had failed to make serious efforts to address the issue despite being provided with a list of detainees months ago.
“There is still no information about the detainees’ fate or condition, and many of them were shot by Israeli forces and were wounded when they were detained. Israeli authorities have also prevented the International Committee of the Red Cross from reaching any of them despite repeated requests,” he said.
Taleb said four young men disappeared last week after returning to their villages in south Lebanon.
He identified them as Jawad Shadi Bazzi, Hadi Kamal al-Raqqa, Muhammed Ali Hassan and Ali Musa Qashmar.
According to Taleb, all four are civilians who travelled from Beirut to the south on motorbikes after the truce was announced and were subsequently taken by Israeli forces.
He said their families plan to hold a sit-in this week to demand answers about their whereabouts.
Wadih al-Asmar, head of the Lebanese Centre for Human Rights, also criticised what he described as insufficient attention by the Lebanese state to the detainees’ file.
“Residents are trying as much as possible to get whatever information they can about the detainees. The Lebanese state must start each round of talks by presenting Israel’s violations and pressuring it to release the detainees,” he told The New Arab.
“A representative present in the talks must formally request information about prisoners held in Israeli jails as well as missing persons, and demand that the Red Cross be allowed access to see them in accordance with international law,” he added.
Al-Asmar said detainees should be treated as prisoners of war under international law and should be granted communication with their families, access to medical care and visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
A brother of Ali Musa Qashmar told The New Arab that the families believe the missing men are being held by Israel.
“All indications suggest that the detainees have been taken and are being held captive by the Israelis, particularly as contact with them has been completely lost and their names are not showing up on official lists of those killed or wounded,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israel’s attacks on Lebanon – including fire during the so-called “ceasefire” period, has killed over 4,192, people, according to Lebanese authorities, amid growing international calls for Israel to halt its military assaults and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory.
