Report says Israeli negotiators raised possibility of relocating remains from Jewish cemeteries in Beirut and Sidon
BEIRUT: Israeli and Lebanese representatives discussed a possible “civilian prisoner exchange deal” during recent negotiations, while Israel also raised the prospect of transferring the remains of Jews buried in Lebanon to Israel, Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Monday.
According to the Hezbollah-linked publication, negotiators addressed the issue while discussing Lebanese prisoners and detainees currently held by Israel.
The talks reportedly focused particularly on individuals whom Israel classifies as civilians and whose affiliation with Hezbollah remains unknown. Israeli authorities nevertheless detained them after determining that they posed a potential threat to Israeli military personnel operating in Lebanon, the report said.
Neither side immediately announced an agreement resulting from the reported discussions.
Jewish Cemeteries Enter Negotiations
Meanwhile, Israeli representatives reportedly raised another sensitive issue involving Jewish remains buried in cemeteries across Lebanon.
Al-Akhbar said Israeli negotiators specifically referred to what the newspaper described as a significant number of remains located in Jewish cemeteries in Beirut and Sidon.
Israel reportedly discussed the possibility of transferring those remains to Israeli territory as part of broader negotiations between the two sides.
However, the report did not provide details about the identities or number of individuals whose remains Israel could seek to relocate.
Talks Address Sensitive Humanitarian Issues
The reported discussions highlight the widening scope of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon as both sides address unresolved humanitarian and security matters alongside broader political issues.
Prisoners and detainees have remained among the sensitive questions surrounding negotiations, particularly following military operations and detentions in southern Lebanon.
Furthermore, any proposal involving Jewish burial sites could require extensive coordination with Lebanese authorities and local communities.
The report did not indicate whether Lebanon had accepted Israel’s proposal concerning the remains or whether negotiators had established conditions for a possible exchange.
Consequently, the discussions remain preliminary, with no publicly confirmed timetable for completing any civilian detainee exchange or transferring remains from Lebanese cemeteries.
