Four Israelis held by Hizbullah could be returned within two weeks as part of an exchange deal that would involve the release of at least 19 Lebanese and other security prisoners held here, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday, quoting reports from the Lebanese media.
Hopes of an imminent deal brokered by Germany were further raised by reports from Paris that Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami would discuss the issue during his visit there, the paper said, citing Ben-Ami who flew to France last night, to facilitate the exchange mission.
The daily said that the security sources in Israel played down the prospects of a quick resolution of the issue of the four Israelis: three Israeli soldiers were taken captive by Hizbollah in Shabaa farms region on October 7th, and businessman Elhanan Tannenbaum, a reserve Israeli colonel, who was apprehended during an anti-Hizbollah mission in Lebanon, according to the party.
The prisoners' families who denied of being informed of any new developments over the reports of an imminent exchange, have met Monday evening with the Red Cross's representative in Israel, Rene Cosnik, and Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz, after earlier meetings with representatives of the National Student Union.
They stressed that they still had no information regarding the condition of the captives - whether they were alive, injured, recuperating, or in need of medical attention, the paper said, adding that Hizbollah has so far refused to let representatives of the Red Cross or any other international organization see the hostages -- Albawaba.com
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
