Negotiations

Israel Proposes Prisoner Swap with Lebanon

Lebanese media reports Israel offered to transfer remains from Jewish cemeteries in exchange for release of Lebanese civilians, while ruling out any deal for Hezbollah operatives

Gila Isaacson, Srugim

AUG 10, 2026 10:35

2 min read

New details have emerged about last week's negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, revealing an unusual proposal put forward by the Israeli delegation during talks held in Rome.

According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is known to be aligned with Hezbollah, Israeli negotiators proposed what they termed a "civilian prisoner exchange." Under the proposed arrangement, remains of Jews buried in Jewish cemeteries in Lebanon would be transferred to Israel in return for the release of Lebanese civilians currently held by Israel.

The Israeli delegation reportedly presented a two-tier classification of Lebanese detainees. Those proposed for release were described as Lebanese civilians who had been detained because they posed a security threat to Israeli military operations in the area. However, Israeli negotiators made clear that Hezbollah operatives were in a separate category entirely and would not be part of any exchange discussions.

The Lebanese newspaper reported that the Lebanese delegation returned to Beirut without securing agreement on a date for further negotiations. Israel also did not provide any commitment regarding a ceasefire or reduction in military operations in Lebanon, according to the report.

Open Source Intel added:

Lebanon does not plan to join a new round of talks in the coming month, al-Mayadeen reports. Lebanese media had said a fresh round would open in Rome on September 1.

Gaps widened last round after Israel demanded progress in the two pilot zones before expanding them, and a Hezbollah pullback from the Ali Tahr Ridge, a Lebanese diplomatic source said.

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