Israel releases two Syrian men after more than a year in detention

Israeli forces have released two young Syrian men they previously abducted but at least 47 remain in detention

2 min read

30 July, 2026

Families of Syrians detained by Israel protested last week at UNDOF's headquarters in Quneitra province [Getty]

Two Syrian men returned home on Wednesday after spending more than a year in Israeli detention, the latest in a series of releases that has offered a measure of relief to families searching for relatives abducted during Israel's military operations in southern Syria.

The two men were identified by the Syrian news outlet Enab Baladi as Hossam Al-Safadi, from the town of Beit Jin in western Rif Dimashq province, and Marwan Al-Karyan, from Suwaysah in Quneitra province.

Their release follows several others in recent days. According to Enab Baladi, five Syrian detainees have been freed over the past week, with one released on Tuesday and two more on 23 July.

The releases come as Israeli forces continue to conduct regular incursions into occupied southern Syria, where they have detained dozens of civilians since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Among the most deadly of those operations was a raid on Beit Jin in November 2025, when Israeli forces killed 13 people, including children, according to Syrian reports. Six Israeli soldiers were also wounded after residents confronted the troops during the operation.

Rights groups and local monitors believe Israel is currently holding 47 Syrian detainees. The whereabouts of many remain unknown, although some have reportedly been seen at the notorious Sde Teiman military detention facility, which has faced widespread allegations of abuse against Palestinian prisoners held there.

Israeli forces have continued to detain Syrian citizens during raids across the country's south. While some are released after hours of questioning, others disappear into Israeli custody for months with little information provided to their families about where they are being held or under what conditions.

The uncertainty has prompted repeated demonstrations by relatives demanding answers.

Last week, families gathered outside the headquarters of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in northern Quneitra, calling for information about loved ones still missing in Israeli detention.