Lebanon’s negotiations with Israel are “still indirect” and our stance does not support “normalization,” Information Minister Paul Morkos announced Thursday after a cabinet session.

The Lebanese army said it received on Thursday a soldier taken by Israel last weekend, after Israel handed over four other detainees earlier this week.

"The army through the International Committee of the Red Cross received (on Thursday) the soldier who was kidnapped by the Israeli enemy" on Sunday, the army said on X, adding that he had been transported to a hospital for treatment.

The UK Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren ended Thursday a two-day visit to Lebanon where he met with senior Lebanese and U.N. officials.

Ahlgren congratulated President Joseph Aoun on his election as President and the formation of a new government, which shows hope and change for the future, as he reiterated the UK’s support for Lebanon’s long-term stability and security.

Against the backdrop of the U.S.-led negotiations that have opened with Lebanon, an Israeli political source has said that "the discussions are part of a broad and comprehensive plan."

“The Prime Minister's policy has already changed the Middle East, and we want to continue the momentum and reach normalization with Lebanon. Just as Lebanon has claims regarding the borders, so do we. We will discuss these matters," the source told Israel’s Channel 12.

Legal consultant Karim Soaid, the brother of ex-MP Fares Soaid, has emerged as the leading candidate for the central bank governor post.

Consultations between President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have led to agreements over security appointments, which will be approved in one batch in Thursday’s cabinet session, media reports said.

The Israeli military said Tuesday it had carried out an air strike against several Hezbollah militants in the area of Froun in southern Lebanon, in addition to an earlier attack in the area of Nabatiyeh.

"Earlier today (Tuesday), several terrorists were identified in a site used by Hezbollah in the area of Froun in southern Lebanon. An IAF (air force) aircraft struck the suspects," the army said in a statement.

The ceasefire monitoring committee met for the sixth time in Naqoura Tuesday. UNIFIL hosted the meeting, with the United States serving as chair, and was joined by France, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israeli army.

The attendees discussed advancing the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, the full implementation of the November 26, 2024, Cessation of Hostilities arrangement, and next steps for addressing outstanding issues between Israel and Lebanon.

Lebanon received on Tuesday four detainees who had been taken into custody by Israel during the war, the presidency said, with a fifth to be released the Wednesday.

"Lebanon received four Lebanese prisoners who were detained by Israeli forces during the last war, and a fifth prisoner will be handed over tomorrow (Wednesday)," the presidency said in a statement Tuesday.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to open negotiations to resolve longstanding disputes over the land border between them, two U.S. officials told U.S. news portal Axios in remarks published Tuesday.

"The Trump administration successfully pushed the two sides to come to the table just months after Israel invaded Lebanon as part of its war against Hezbollah. The border talks are intended to help stabilize the ceasefire brokered by the Biden administration last November," Axios said.