Israel Announces the Recovery of "Abu Hussein" Who Was Held in Lebanon for a Year

SadaNews - The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel announced today, Thursday, that citizen Saleh Abu Hussein, who had been held in Lebanon for nearly a year, was returned this afternoon with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Abu Hussein had been detained since July 2024 in Lebanon, and was returned without the conclusion of any exchange deal, while the circumstances of his detention are still under investigation.

A statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's office on behalf of the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons, Gal Hirsch, mentioned that the process of returning Abu Hussein took place through the Ras al-Naqoura crossing.

It was noted that this came after negotiations conducted over the past months with the assistance of the Red Cross, without clarifying the Lebanese party involved in the negotiations or that held Abu Hussein.

The statement added that after his transfer to Israel, Abu Hussein underwent an initial interrogation and medical examination, and was then referred to a hospital for comprehensive tests, with plans to meet later with his family members.

The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel pointed out that the circumstances of his detention in Lebanon "are still under investigation by security agencies," without revealing further details.

For his part, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement "blessing" the process of the return of the Israeli citizen, indicating a "positive step that heralds what is to come."

It is known that Abu Hussein is a resident of the town of Ramana in the Galilee, suffers from psychological disorders, and had been detained in Lebanon since July 2024.

His family had previously turned to the police to report his disappearance without knowing that he was held in Lebanon.

Abu Hussein's relatives stated in press remarks, "Throughout this period, we did not know that he was in Lebanon. We do not know how he got there, but we felt great joy at his safe return."