La Derecha Diario Israeli released after a year in prison in Lebanon returns to the country
The man had been imprisoned in July 2024, and his release did not involve any prisoner exchange
An Israeli citizen who had been imprisoned in Lebanon for approximately a year was released this Thursday and repatriated to Israel, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on behalf of the Coordinator for Captives and Missing Persons, Brigadier General (res.) Gal Hirsch.
The Israeli, identified as Saleh Abu-Hussein, was handed over by Lebanese authorities at the Rosh Hanikra border crossing.
This was the result of negotiations held in recent months with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Once received by Israeli authorities, Abu-Hussein underwent an initial interrogation and a preliminary medical examination.
Subsequently, he was transferred to a hospital for more thorough examinations before reuniting with his family. The exact circumstances of his detention are still under investigation by security agencies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the release and expressed his gratitude to Hirsch and to all those who participated in the efforts to secure Abu-Hussein's return.
According to public broadcaster KAN, the Israeli citizen had been imprisoned since July 2024 and his release did not involve any prisoner exchange.
The news comes in a complex context: around 50 Israelis remain held as hostages in the Gaza Strip by terrorist organizations.
According to a report by the newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, these factions may be considering transferring the captives to Gaza City in order to halt the imminent Israeli Army offensive in the area.
Abu-Hussein's release is a relief for his family and a diplomatic success for Israel, although the hostage crisis in Gaza remains one of the government's main challenges in both humanitarian and strategic terms.
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