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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Israeli sources: Deal with Hezbollah likely next week |
| 2008-06-18 |
| An exchange of prisoners with Hezbollah is expected to take place in the near future, possibly even by late next week, Israeli security sources confirmed on Monday. Lebanese media referred to a number of possible dates for an exchange Monday, with Friday June 20 as the earliest, and Wednesday June 25 being the latest. A senior political source told Haaretz on Monday that Israel is still waiting for a final response from Hezbollah and 'nothing is final yet.' Zvi Regev, father of reservist Eldad Regev, abducted by Hezbollah on July 12, 2006 along with Ehud Goldwasser, said Monday the family had recently been briefed about an exchange deal that was described as in advanced stages. In an interview to Israel Radio, Regev said Ofer Dekel, who has been charged by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with managing the deal over the prisoners, 'told us in general terms there will be a deal. That there is a deal, that's it.' Regev argued he does not know what the medical condition of the two reservists is. 'No one actually knows ... we are aware what the worst case scenario can be, but we are still hopeful for good news,' he added. Miki Goldwasser, mother of Ehud, told Haaretz Monday the family has no official information about the deal or about when it might take place. 'We met Ofer Dekel a week ago and he said there is dialogue but he did not tell us that the deal is done,' she said. In spite of reports the two soldiers are dead, Miki Goldwasser said 'we assume the boys were taken while still alive.' |
| Posted by:Fred |