Safe homecoming for Israeli who crossed into Lebanon

An Israeli citizen who crossed the border into Lebanon last Wednesday was sent back to Israel on Sunday after three days of interrogation by Lebanese security forces.

Simon Sa’adati, 34, who climbed the fence separating the two countries, was returned by Red Cross representatives to Israel around 10 a.m. on Sunday via the Rosh Hanikra border crossing, which is normally closed.

He was to be debriefed and questioned by Israeli security forces in order to shed light on the reason behind his crossing into Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon are technically in a state of war, and it is illegal for Israeli citizens to enter the territory of an enemy country.

Red Cross representatives who visited Sa’adati in southern Lebanon had reported that he was in good health.

Sa’adati has a history of disappearing. His mother told Channel 10 News last week that he’s done similar things before, and he’s thought to have a history of mental illness.

Hezbollah media, for its part, painted Sa’adati as a spy who was aware of his actions rather than an individual who is mentally ill.

The army was in contact with UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which monitors the border between the two countries, throughout Sa’adati’s escapade.