Israeli 'civilian' returned to Israel after 'one-year' detention in Lebanon

Israeli civilian Salah Abu Hussein, who had been jailed in Lebanon for the past year, was returned to Israel today, Thursday, Israel's government said.

“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 (Ras al-Naqoura) Crossing,” said a statement released by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"After an initial questioning and medical examination," Abu Hussein was transferred by the Israeli army to a hospital where he will undergo additional examinations and treatment, "after which he will meet his family," the statement said, adding that "the circumstances of the incident are under investigation by the security forces."

According to the state-run Israeli Pubic Broadcasting Corporation, Israel did not release any Lebanese citizen in return.

An Israeli police spokesman had announced in February the disappearance of Abu Hussein, who hails from the village al-Rummana in northern Israel.

Abu Hussein's Lebanese lawyer, Fadia Chedid, said Thursday that her client had no legal or security case in the Lebanese judicial system.

Chedid told LBCI television that Abu Hussein had been detained for more than 13 months after crossing the border “by mistake.” She said he told her he had become lost and attempted to "swim back," but lost his way again.

“His case was with the public prosecutor’s office, and I coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure his release,” Chedid said, noting that General Security had no objection to her representing him.

Israel had in March released five Lebanese citizens, saying it was a goodwill gesture to President Joseph Aoun who had been newly elected at the time. The move also followed U.S. pressure.

Fifteen more citizens are believed to be still held in Israel, including at least seven Hezbollah fighters who were captured during Israel’s incursion into south Lebanon during last year’s 66-day war. Eight of the Lebanese citizens were abducted from south Lebanon after the November ceasefire.