A Kuwaiti news outlet claimed that Hezbollah had detained three Al Nusrah Front commanders in Qalamoun who could be exchanged for kidnapped Lebanese security forces; Hezbollah denied knowledge of the report. Another report said Al Nusrah plans to release kidnapped Sunni, Christian, and Druze troops but will hang on to captive Shiites. Al Nusrah released four or five troops on Aug. 30 who were not previously listed as kidnapped. The names of prisoners whom Al Nusrah or the Islamic State allegedly want released have not been published. The body of a kidnapped soldier who was beheaded by the Islamic State was turned over to authorities by the Muslim Scholars Committee. An estimated 3,000 Islamic State fighters are said to be based in Lebanon.
