Hassan Nassrullah says progress was made for a major prisoner swap deal between Hizbullah and Israel

Nasrallah says progress was made for a major prisoner swap deal

Tuesday October 16, 2007 23:42 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies saed at imemc dot org

Leader of the Lebanon-based Hizbullah party, Hassan Nassrullah, stated on Tuesday that a positive progress was made in prisoner-swap talks which could see the release of two Israeli soldiers captured by the party last year, in exchange for releasing Arab prisoners detained by Israel.

In July 2006, Hizbullah captured two Israeli soldiers identified as Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, and then Israel carried a 34-day war but failed to free the captured soldiers.

Nasrallah stated that on Monday a limited swap deal was implemented and is only considered a preliminary action before a major prisoner swap which will include the release of Regev and Goldwasser.

Nassrullah stated that this step is considered a positive development for a major prisoner swap deal which could take place in the future.

On Monday, Hizbullah handed the International Red Cross the body of an Israeli citizen while Israel in return handed the bodies of two Hezbollah fighters. This deal is part of talks which could see the release of Goldwasser and Regev.

The Al-Manar television, run by Hizbullah, reported that the deal which was carried on Monday is a great achievement but is also considered a preliminary action since “it is a small step towards a bigger one”.

Also, Nassrullah stated that there are extensive talks taking place and ongoing meetings which will continue in the coming days.

Israeli Ynetnews reported that Nasrallah said that negotiations started several months ago through Germany.

Moreover, Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported on Monday that Hizbullah did not provide Israel with any information regarding the fate of the Israeli Air Force navigator, Ron Arad, who had been missing after his plan drowned over Lebanon on October 16, 1986.

Haaretz added that Israel released on Monday an ailing Hizbullah fighter and the bodies of two other fighters. Hizbullah in return handed the remains of the Israeli citizen who drowned off the coast two years ago.

Haaretz said that the body of the citizen was swept into Lebanese waters.

Moreover, Haaretz stated that Hizbullah claimed that it carried efforts to locate the supposed grave of Arab but the efforts failed. Hizbullah stated that it is trying to reveal the fate of Arad.

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