Israeli Citizen Freed From Lebanon After Yearlong Imprisonment
An Israeli citizen held in Lebanon for about a year was released Thursday and returned to Israel through the Rosh Hanikra crossing after months of quiet negotiations mediated by the Red Cross.
The man, identified as Salah Abu-Hussein, was imprisoned in Lebanon in July 2024 under circumstances that remain unclear. Israeli officials stressed that no Lebanese prisoners were exchanged in return for his release. His case had been the subject of discreet diplomatic contacts over recent months.
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According to a statement from Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for prisoners and missing persons, Abu-Hussein was handed over by Lebanese authorities directly to him at the border. “After questioning and an initial medical check, the citizen was transferred by the IDF to a hospital for further examinations, after which he will meet his family,” the statement said. Hirsch added that the incident is being reviewed by security officials.
Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported that Abu-Hussein was detained in southern Lebanon at the height of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in July 2024. However, Lebanese authorities have not clarified the grounds for his arrest. His detention came during a period of heightened regional tensions, when civilians near the border were particularly vulnerable to being caught up in hostilities.
The return of Abu-Hussein marks a rare instance of Israel retrieving a citizen from Lebanon without a prisoner swap, a contrast to previous cases in which exchanges were required. While details remain under investigation, officials emphasized that the successful outcome reflected Israel’s determination to secure the safe return of its nationals.
