Israel to free Lebanese captives after Aoun pressure, US efforts
President Joseph Aoun held a meeting Tuesday in Baabda with the head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson, ahead of a meeting for the committee in Naqoura, the Presidency said.
"President Aoun asked the committee chief to press Israel to implement the agreement, withdraw from the five hills and return the Lebanese captives," the Presidency added.
Al-Jadeed TV earlier reported that the meeting was held at Aoun's request and would tackle "the Israeli violations and the file of Lebanese captives."
It added that "the Naqoura meeting will lead to the release of Lebanese captives held by Israel, following pressure from President Aoun and U.S. efforts."
Al-Akhbar newspaper meanwhile said that "Israel is scheduled to release six captive Lebanese civilians out of 11" it had abducted on "January 26." It said the six captives will be handed over at the Ras al-Naqoura border crossing after the meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee.
Al-Jadeed had earlier reported that Israel would release a captive and wounded Lebanese soldier in the coming hours, following efforts carried out by the Lebanese state through the UNIFIL peacekeeping force.
According to a Lebanese Army statement, Israeli forces fired at the off-duty soldier on Sunday as he was “present in his civilian clothes in the outskirts of the southern border town of Kfarshouba.”
The soldier was wounded before being abducted into Israel, the statement said, condemning Israel’s “growing attacks” on Lebanon.
Another soldier was killed on Sunday after Israeli forces opened fire at mourners in the border town of Kfar Kila.
According to Al-Arabiya television, the captive Lebanese soldier underwent a surgery in Israel after being abducted by the Israeli forces.
Media reports have identified the captive soldier as Ziad Chebli, saying that he hails from Kfarshouba.
The reports said Chebli was shot and wounded while riding his motorbike on the Halta-Bostra road.
Seven Hezbollah fighters also remain in Israel’s captivity following the latest war with Israel.
A November 27 truce largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops.
Israel has continued to carry out periodic strikes on Lebanese territory since the agreement took effect.
Israel had been due to withdraw from Lebanon by February 18 after missing a January deadline, but it has kept troops at five locations it deems "strategic".
The ceasefire also required Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
Source: Naharnet
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