November 18, 1991
Terry Waite, a Church of England envoy, was released by Islamic Jihad after being held for 1,763 days as a hostage in Lebanon.
Beirut, Lebanon | Islamic Jihad
Terry Waite, a humanitarian and envoy for the Church of England, was captured in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1987 while negotiating the release of hostages as a special envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury. Waite became well-known for his efforts in securing the freedom of hostages in Iran and Libya before his own capture. His mission in January 1987 aimed to negotiate with the Islamic Jihad Organization, which held Western hostages during the Lebanese Civil War.
Waite was kidnapped on January 20, 1987, under the guise of negotiating for hostages. He spent nearly five years, precisely 1,763 days, in captivity. For most of this period, he was held in solitary confinement and endured challenging conditions including physical hardship, poor health, and deprivation of contact with the outside world.
On November 18, 1991, Terry Waite was released. His freedom was part of a series of events leading to the resolution of several hostage crises in the Middle East. As Waite was released, global attention focused on the details of prolonged captivity negotiations and the broader geopolitical interplay within the region. His release marked the end of a significant chapter in the complex history of hostages in Lebanon.
Following his release, Waite returned to the United Kingdom where he was received with great relief and celebration. His experience drew attention to the plight of hostages worldwide and highlighted the broader challenges of diplomacy and negotiation in conflict zones. Waite went on to author several books reflecting on his experiences and remained active in humanitarian efforts.
Waite’s ordeal and eventual release came during a period of changing political landscapes in the Middle East. His captivity and eventual freedom underscored the volatile post-Cold War dynamics and pointed toward shifting alliances and conflict resolutions in the region. It also spotlighted the complexity of diplomatic missions aimed at hostage negotiation during times of international conflict.
Source: en.wikipedia.org