Jerusalem, 21 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — An Israeli citizen held in Lebanon for the past year was returned to Israel on Thursday afternoon, following months of negotiations mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The man, identified as 35-year-old Saleh Abu-Hussain, was transferred at the Rosh Hanikra crossing and received by the government’s coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch. After an initial debriefing and medical check, he was taken by the IDF for further examinations at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, where doctors reported his condition as stable.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed his return, thanking all those involved in the process, and Hirsch in particular.
“This is a positive step and a sign of things to come,” Netanyahu said in the official message.
According to political sources, Abu-Hussain was arrested in Lebanon in July 2024 under unclear circumstances. His family had reported him missing last year, and Israeli police had appealed to the public for information about his disappearance several months ago. No prisoners were released in exchange for his return.
The circumstances of his detention remain under investigation by Israeli security authorities.
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