Lebanese Families Rally in Beirut Over Israeli Detainees

Relatives of Lebanese citizens seized by Israel held a rally in Beirut on Wednesday in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The protesters demanded urgent information regarding the health and survival of their loved ones, highlighting the absence of a comprehensive official list of those captured.

The Government of Lebanon has demanded the release of an initial batch of detainees during ongoing negotiations with Israel. The captives include Hezbollah fighters captured during the 2024 ground invasion, such as Waddah Younes who was seized in Blida in October 2024, as well as civilians taken during ceasefire periods.

Estimates regarding the number of prisoners vary among officials. Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan previously cited 20 prisoners, while Anwar Yassine of the Committee of Representatives of Prisoners and Released Detainees estimates at least 32 people were seized, including 22 civilians.