Mustafa Dirani

Mustafa Dirani (also spelled Mostafa Dirani) (born 1951) is a Lebanese politician and former military leader associated with Hezbollah. He is primarily known for his involvement in the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Ron Arad in 1986. At the time of Arad's abduction, Dirani was the head of security for the Amal Movement, a Lebanese Shia political organization. He later defected to Hezbollah.

Dirani was himself kidnapped by Israeli commandos in 1994 from his home in Lebanon. Israel hoped that Dirani, as someone who had held Arad captive, would possess information about Arad's whereabouts. He was held in Israeli custody for approximately ten years.

During his imprisonment, Dirani filed a lawsuit against Israel, alleging torture and abuse. The case gained international attention and raised questions about the treatment of detainees in Israeli prisons.

Dirani was eventually released in 2004 as part of a prisoner exchange between Hezbollah and Israel. The exchange included the release of hundreds of Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners in exchange for the remains of three Israeli soldiers and Elhanan Tannenbaum, an Israeli businessman.

Following his release, Dirani returned to Lebanon and has largely remained out of the public eye. His role in the Ron Arad affair and his subsequent kidnapping and imprisonment continue to be subjects of discussion and debate. His involvement and knowledge regarding Ron Arad’s fate remain a point of contention.