The fate of missing Israeli Air Force navigator Ron Arad has reportedly emerged as part of the current negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, with Lebanese media claiming the two sides are discussing the possible return of his remains in exchange for Lebanese prisoners.

According to Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television network, the issue is expected to be raised during the fifth round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks, set to begin in Washington.

The report comes as the negotiations focus on broader security arrangements in southern Lebanon, including proposals for phased Israeli withdrawals from selected areas in exchange for increased deployment of the Lebanese Army and efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s military presence.

Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post they were unaware of any new developments regarding Arad’s fate but said they would welcome any credible new information from the Lebanese side.

Arad was captured in October 1986 after ejecting from his aircraft over southern Lebanon during an Israeli Air Force mission. He was initially held by the Shiite Amal militia, and Israel lost track of his whereabouts in 1988. Despite decades of intelligence efforts, diplomatic initiatives, and covert operations, his fate has never been conclusively determined.

Earlier this year, Israeli special forces carried out a covert raid in the Lebanese village of Nabi Sheet following intelligence related to Arad’s disappearance. The operation did not uncover the information Israel had hoped to find, though officials said it helped rule out one line of investigation.

Following that operation, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to resolving the fate of all missing and captive Israelis.

“The commitment of the State of Israel and mine to completing every mission involving our captives and missing is absolute and eternal,” Netanyahu said.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)