Ron Arad back in the spotlight: Israel presents new demands to Lebanon
During talks with Lebanon in Rome, Israel demanded information regarding the fate of Jewish community members who disappeared during the civil war, as well as data on navigator Ron Arad.
During negotiations with Lebanon held in Rome, Israel has demanded the return of the remains of Lebanese Jews killed or missing during the civil war, as well as information regarding the fate of those who disappeared primarily in the 1980s. This was reported yesterday by the Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat," citing Lebanese sources familiar with the discussions. According to the report, this demand was raised in response to Beirut's request for the release of 34 Lebanese detainees held in Israel.
Lebanese sources characterized the Israeli demands as "impossible conditions." They claimed that the Lebanese state possesses no information regarding the burial sites of Jews killed during the civil war, nor any data on the fate of those who disappeared during that era. Furthermore, the Israeli delegation demanded information on the fate of navigator Ron Arad, who was captured in Lebanon after ejecting from his aircraft in 1986, or alternatively, the return of his remains.
According to "Asharq Al-Awsat," sources suggested that Israel raised these demands, which Lebanon cannot fulfill, to justify its refusal to advance on the prisoner issue and to embarrass the government in Beirut. They noted that the issue of Ron Arad and the fate of Lebanese Jews is not being raised for the first time. The subject was previously addressed during 2022 maritime border demarcation talks mediated by American envoy Amos Hochstein, but failed to progress as the Lebanese side claimed it lacked the data to ascertain their fate.
![An illustration showing the entrenchment of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the area of villages in southern Lebanon (photo: IDF Spokesperson).]
The discussion took place as part of the seventh round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, held this week in Rome with American mediation. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated after the round that "positive progress" had been achieved on border and prisoner issues, expressing hope that practical steps could be seen soon.
The newspaper reported that Lebanon is requesting the release of 34 detainees held in Israel. Three of them were arrested in 1978, 1981, and 2005, while the others have been captured since October 2024, including during recent rounds of fighting. Aoun noted that the talks also addressed a ceasefire, the demolition of buildings, border marking, and the definition of experimental zones for implementing agreements. The decision to continue discussing the prisoner file was defined by the Lebanese side as a positive development, although significant gaps remain regarding the conditions for their release.
