JERUSALEM - Five men detained by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon were released on Saturday after being questioned, an army spokeswoman said.

The five men were detained by soldiers patrolling Aita Al Shaab, a village, which came under Israel’s control during its recent offensive against Hezbollah.

The army spokeswoman said the men were unarmed. The army had initially said that four armed men had been detained by Israeli troops on Friday. The army did not say why they were detained.

Israel has been gradually withdrawing forces from Lebanon after a ceasefire on Aug. 14 halted 34 days of war triggered by a Hezbollah raid in which two Israeli soldiers were abducted. (Reuters)