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Israel Returns Hezbollah Spy

Prisoner swap may be under way with Lebanon

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jun 1, 2008 3:27 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Israel returned a Hezbollah spy to Lebanon today and may have started a prisoner exchange, BBC reports. Hezbollah quickly handed over the bodies of Israeli troops killed in 2006, but officials on both sides deny a swap is under way. Secret talks clearly are, perhaps aided by German mediators; a larger prisoner swap may include the two Israeli soldiers whose capture sparked the 2006 war.

The spy, Nissim Nasser, returned home to a Hezbollah party and patriotic tunes blaring over loudspeakers. Born in Lebanon to a Shia Muslim father and Jewish mother, Nasser moved to the Tel Aviv area after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982. He was convicted of spying in 2002 and served a 6-year sentence.

Nasim Nisr flashes V sign upon his arrival to a ceremony held by Hezbollah, in the south Lebanon coastal town of Naqoura on Sunday, June 1, 2008.
Nasim Nisr flashes V sign upon his arrival to a ceremony held by Hezbollah, in the south Lebanon coastal town of Naqoura on Sunday, June 1, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Sheik Naim Kaouk , right, Hezbollah's commander in south Lebanon, right, speaks with Nasim Nisr in the south Lebanon coastal town of Naqoura on Sunday, June 1, 2008.
Sheik Naim Kaouk , right, Hezbollah's commander in south Lebanon, right, speaks with Nasim Nisr in the south Lebanon coastal town of Naqoura on Sunday, June 1, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Nasim Nisr he arrives in his home southern village of Bazouriyeh, Lebanon, Sunday, June 1, 2008.
Nasim Nisr he arrives in his home southern village of Bazouriyeh, Lebanon, Sunday, June 1, 2008.   (Associated Press)
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Germany mediating prisoner-swap deal
Der Spiegel

More on Hezbollah-Israel prisoner exchanges
AFP

 
Israel • Lebanon • Germany • Hezbollah • Israeli prisoner release • prisoner of war • Arab Israeli conflict • Hassan Nasrallah • Israeli Army

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