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Israel Agrees to Hezbollah Prisoner Swap

Notorious killer will be released

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 8, 2008 3:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Israel has signed a prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah which includes the release of a terrorist who has been in an Israeli prison for 29 years. The release of Samir Qantar, who took part in a terror raid in which a child was murdered, is the most controversial element of the deal for Israelis, reports the BBC.

Hezbollah has agreed to hand over two Israeli soldiers, believed to be dead, whose abduction triggered a 34-day war in 2006, and to provide information on Ron Arad, an Israeli airman shot down over Lebanon in 1986. Israel agreed to hand over captured fighters, as well as the bodies of Lebanese killed in years of clashes. Digging for their remains has already begun.

Smadar Haran whose husband and daughter were murdered by a terrorist Israel is about to release in a prisoner swap after 29 years behind bars.
Smadar Haran whose husband and daughter were murdered by a terrorist Israel is about to release in a prisoner swap after 29 years behind bars.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Israeli artillery fire into southern Lebanon in 2006. Two Israeli soldiers, believed to be dead, whose abduction triggered that war will be handed over in a prisoner swap.
Israeli artillery fire into southern Lebanon in 2006. Two Israeli soldiers, believed to be dead, whose abduction triggered that war will be handed over in a prisoner swap.   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen, File)
Israeli soldiers exhume bodies of Lebanese and Palestinian fighters from the Amiad cemetery in northern Israel.
Israeli soldiers exhume bodies of Lebanese and Palestinian fighters from the Amiad cemetery in northern Israel.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
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