U.S. State Department: Release of Lebanese hostages due to direct U.S. initiative

The U.S. Department of State announced that the release of Lebanese hostages came as a result of a direct U.S. initiative, with American hopes that this step will serve as a gateway to expanding discussions between the two sides and maintaining open communication channels.

The U.S. Department of State reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting the implementation of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, noting that it continues to provide assistance to sustain daily dialogue between the two parties.

The department expressed hope that the release of the hostages would lay the foundation for expanding discussions between Lebanon and Israel, emphasizing its expectation that the scope of dialogue between the two sides will broaden in the coming phase.

In this context, the department praised the governments of Lebanon and Israel for demonstrating goodwill through the release of the hostages, confirming that U.S. ambassadors in Beirut and Tel Aviv finalized the arrangements for the release operation.

Meanwhile, Axios reported that a U.S. State Department official stated the release of Lebanese hostages by Israel was the result of American mediation between the two countries.

A U.S. State Department official told Axios that the issue of Lebanese hostages had been raised during recent Rome talks between Lebanon and Israel, before the U.S. efforts crystallized into the successful execution of the release operation.