TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Israel, Hezbollah Trade Spy, Soldiers' Remains

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: June 2, 2008

JERUSALEM - Israel handed over a convicted Hezbollah spy to Lebanon on Sunday and, in a surprise move, the Islamic guerrilla group turned over what it said were the body parts of Israeli soldiers killed in a 2006 war.

The Hezbollah gesture, along with recent comments by its leader, signaled that a larger prisoner exchange could be in the works between the two bitter enemies.

Israel said publicly that Sunday's exchanges were unrelated to a deal that would include Israel releasing the longest-serving Lebanese prisoner and Hezbollah setting free two soldiers captured in a 2006 cross-border raid that sparked a monthlong war.

But a senior Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said a deal was in the making, even though there was no timetable for completing it.
Israeli authorities released Nasim Nisr, an Israeli of Lebanese descent, after he completed a six-year sentence for espionage.

Hezbollah official Wafik Safa told the group's al-Manar TV station that it handed over a brown box containing what it said were the remains of Israeli soldiers killed in the war.

The Israeli army said the remains will undergo forensic examination.

Israel is thought to be holding seven Lebanese prisoners, including Samir Kantar, who has been in an Israeli prison since he was convicted of killing an Israeli family in 1979.

Hezbollah has been holding soldiers Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev since July 2006. The soldiers are thought to have been badly wounded during their abduction, and Hezbollah has offered no proof that they are alive.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT