Salah Abu-Hussein, an Israeli citizen who had been imprisoned in Lebanon for approximately one year, was returned to Israel on Thursday.
Pursuant to negotiations that were held in the past few months, with the assistance of the Red Cross, the Lebanese authorities handed Abu-Hussein over to the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch at the Rosh Hanikra crossing.
After questioning and a preliminary medical examination, Abu-Hussein was taken by the IDF for comprehensive examinations at the hospital, following which he will meet his family.
The circumstances of the incident are under investigation by the security forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the release and thanked all those who were involved in the effort, especially the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch. "This is a positive step and a sign of things to come," the Prime Minister stated.