Prisoner exchangements by Claudia Sonea

The war between Hezbollah and Israel continues, but there have been made improvements. From 2004 when Israel made for the first time an attempt on improving the relations by releasing more than 400 Lebanese and Arab prisoners in order to free an Israeli businessman and the remains of three soldiers. On Monday new exchanges have been made, the Iran-backed Hezbollah exchanged the remains of an Israeli civilian for a captive Lebanese guerilla and two others. This comes as a result of UN efforts to obtain the freedom of two Israeli soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, seized in July last year, this way putting an end to the 34 days war that followed the abduction. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in a press release revealed that the move not only that will grow the confidence the two countries have among each other, but it will also help in freeing the two prisoners whose condition is still a mystery due to the fact that Hezbollah has given no information in this perspective. The UN appointed mediator, supposedly a German intelligence officer, is brokering a deal between the two for the release of the soldiers in exchange for Lebanese and other prisoners. Also Hezbollah hopes that the exchange will grow in time. Hassan Naim Aqil and the bodies of Ali Wizwaz and Mohammed Damashqiah captured by Israel after the battle at Lebanon were given for the body of Gabriel Dwait, an Ethiopian immigrant who drowned in 2005 and was captured by local fisherman from the coastal side who handed over to Hezbollah. At Naqoura took place the exchange where officials from the U.N. and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated it. The Hezbollah convoy with an ambulance brought the Israeli body and left four hours later with the prisoner and the bodies. In celebration of the event family members showered the car in rice. Furthermore, father of Wizwaz expressed his pride towards his son's sacrifice. All in all, the actions of good will might lead to a final solving of the long lasting conflict and bring peace between us. Don't go away…this issue is far away from being completely solved. More to come!

related story: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071015/tpl-uk-lebanon-israel-exchange-43a8d4f_2.html

by Claudia Sonea for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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