One individual was transferred on Thursday, and four others on Friday, with full respect for the safety and dignity of the individuals involved.
The ICRC’s role in this operation was purely humanitarian, acting as a neutral intermediary between Israel and Lebanon.
The ICRC maintains a bilateral and confidential dialogue with the relevant authorities to address issues related to persons who are detained, deceased or missing in connection with armed conflict.
Many families in Lebanon are still waiting for answers about the fate of loved ones who may be detained, deceased or otherwise unaccounted for. The ICRC continues to engage with the families themselves and remains determined to clarify the fate of their loved ones. We also stand ready to act as a neutral intermediary in future humanitarian operations whenever the parties reach an agreement.
Since October 2023, the ICRC has not had access to detainees held in Israeli places of detention, including Lebanese nationals. The ICRC reiterates the requirement to receive information on conflict-related detainees and to be granted access to them.
The ICRC is continuing its dialogue with the Israeli authorities to immediately resume its work in detention.
About the ICRC
Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to relieve suffering and preserve human dignity during war and armed violence. Alongside our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, we deliver life-saving aid across front lines and strive to reconnect families and locate missing people.
Engaging with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, we advocate for humane treatment of detainees and urge compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm, including online.
For more information, please contact:
Sally Aoun, ICRC, Lebanon, +961 81 314 798, saaoun@icrc.org
Hachem Osseiran, ICRC, Dubai, tel: +971504254091, hosseiran@icrc.org
Pat Griffiths, ICRC, Jerusalem, +972 52-6019150, pgriffiths@icrc.org
