Israeli citizen held prisoner in Lebanon returned in secret deal

Arab citizen of Israel who disappeared last year is returned home from captivity in Lebanon as part of secret deal negotiated by Israeli official charged with coordinating hostages’ return.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli citizen held captive for over a year in Lebanon was returned home on Thursday, as part of a secret agreement between Jerusalem and Beirut.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that Salah Abu-Hussein, an Israeli Arab man, was handed over by Lebanese authorities to Israel at the Rosh Hanikra crossing on Israel’s northern border.

After questioning and a preliminary medical examination, Abu-Hussein was taken by the IDF for comprehensive examinations at a local hospital, the Prime Minister’s Office said, after which he was taken to meet with his family.

Abu-Hussein disappeared last July after leaving his home in the northern town of Rumana.

According to Ahmad Rahal, the regional council chairman whose district includes Rumana, Abu-Hussein has a history of mental illness, and his disappearance was not initially reported to authorities given his frequent absences.

However, this February, Abu-Hussein’s family finally filed a formal police report after their own efforts to locate him had failed.

Over the past few months, the office of the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch held secret talks with the Lebanese government to secure Abu-Hussein’s return.

A report by Ha’aretz claimed that the family was not notified of Abu-Hussein’s location prior to his return on Thursday.

Hirsch himself greeted Abu-Hussein at the Rosh Hanikra crossing.

In a statement issued by his office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the deal securing Abu-Hussein’s return.

“This is a positive step and a sign of things to come.”

No details regarding how Abu-Hussein was taken into captivity in Lebanon have been released, with Netanyahu’s office stating the incident is still being probed.

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

Israeli officials say that Israel did not release any prisoners in exchange for Abu-Hussein’s return, though little information on the arrangement has been made public.