An Israeli citizen who had been held in Lebanon for nearly a year was returned to Israel on Thursday following months of negotiations facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Israeli Army Radio reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the return of the man, identified as Saleh Abu Hussein. Following negotiations in recent months, Lebanese authorities handed him over through the Rosh Hanikra crossing to Israel’s Coordinator for Prisoners of War and Missing Persons, Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, according to a statement sent by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“After an initial questioning and medical examination,” Abu Hussein was transferred by the Israeli Defense Forces to a hospital for further examinations and treatment, “after which he will meet his family,” the statement said.

It remains unclear how and when Abu Hussein entered Lebanon. In recent years, there have been several cases of Arab Israeli civilians crossing into Lebanon before being returned by Lebanese authorities. Israel's Channel 12 reported that Abu Hussein was imprisoned in Lebanon in July 2024, and that no Lebanese prisoners held in Israel were released in exchange for him.