Israel is expected to release five Lebanese prisoners to Lebanon on Thursday as part of ongoing U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, according to Israeli media reports.

The Lebanese Army said it had already received the first prisoner, identified as Malek Ghazi, from the International Committee of the Red Cross after his release by Israel and transfer through the Naqoura crossing on the Israel-Lebanon border.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Israel was expected to release five Lebanese prisoners as part of the negotiations. The channel said the releases were being coordinated with the United States and were taking place within the framework of talks between Beirut and Jerusalem.

According to Channel 12, preliminary lists of prisoners were exchanged during the latest round of negotiations, which was held in Rome.

The reported releases are being viewed by Israeli media as a goodwill gesture intended to support the negotiations, which are aimed at reducing tensions and helping bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The next round of Israel-Lebanon talks is scheduled to take place later this month in Rome.

A Lebanese political source told local broadcaster MTV that the release of one or more Lebanese prisoners would provide a boost to the direct negotiations. The release of Ghazi had been expected on Wednesday but was postponed until Thursday for logistical reasons, the source said.

Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath reported that one of the Lebanese citizens expected to be returned was Malik Kamal Razi. It said the transfer was to take place through the Naqoura crossing.

The reported exchange comes two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Both diplomats have been involved in the direct Israel-Lebanon talks mediated by Washington.

An official told The Times of Israel last month that Israel and Lebanon were also conducting parallel discussions over the identification and return of the remains of Lebanese nationals and Israeli Jews, in exchange for the release of Lebanese detainees.