Israel, with Red Cross help, brings back man jailed in Lebanon for the past year

An Israeli civilian who had been jailed in Lebanon for the past year was returned to Israel today, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and missing persons, Gal Hirsch, says.

Following negotiations held in recent months, with the assistance of the Red Cross, Salah Abu Hussein was returned to Israel by Lebanese authorities through the Rosh Hanikra Crossing, Hirsch says in a statement sent by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“After an initial questioning and medical examination,” Abu Hussein was transferred by the IDF to a hospital where he will undergo additional examinations and treatment, “after which he will meet his family,” the statement says.

It is unclear how and when Abu Hussein entered Lebanon. In recent years, there have been several cases of Arab Israeli civilians crossing the border into Lebanon before being returned to Israel by Lebanese authorities.

Channel 12 reports that Abu Hussein was imprisoned in Lebanon in July 2024 and that Lebanese prisoners held in Israel were not freed in exchange for him.

Hirsch says “the circumstances of the incident are under investigation by the security forces.”