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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Funerals for Hezbollah militants |
| 2008-07-19 |
| Thousands in Lebanon have attended the funerals of eight Hezbollah militants whose bodies were returned by Israel as part of a prisoner swap two days ago. Grieving relatives and supporters of the Shia movement attended the service in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Under the deal, Hezbollah returned the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, whom it said were captured alive in an ambush in 2006, but were fatally wounded. The incident sparked a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. The remains of the Israeli reservists - Sgt Eldad Regev and Sgt Ehud Goldwasser - were buried on Thursday. Their funerals were broadcast live on national television. Thousands of mourners In Beirut, the eight coffins were decorated with Hezbollah's yellow flags, floral wreaths and a picture of each of the men. Opening the memorial service, the head of Hezbollah's executive council paid tribute to the men. "These martyrs have defeated the enemy... our enemy who was humiliated yesterday will remain so, by the grace of God," said Hashem Safieddine. "The brothers of these martyrs will confront the enemy [Israel] if it ever thinks of making the mistake" of attacking Lebanon, he added. The coffins were then carried through the Hezbollah stronghold of southern Beirut, as thousands of people followed. The bodies were then given to their families for burial. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 When I see 5 murdering terrorists go free for a trade of two dead Israeli soldiers, I almost feel physically sick. You don't negotiate with terrorists. It gives them credibility and legitimacy. How far the government of Israel has fallen since the Entebbe hostage rescue. It breaks ones heart. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2008-07-19 22:13 |
| #3 Yes, we've learnt what to expect from UN troops in that part of the world, not to mention the other garden spots they've been posted to around the world. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-07-19 22:00 |
| #2 It gets worse. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-07-19 12:13 |
| #1 Israel should have clusterbombed the funeral parades. Cost these c*cksuckers 100 for each Israeli and they'll soon stop. Unfortunately, the Israelis no longer have the guts for that. Israel is doomed because they don't have the courage to fight for themselves any longer. |
| Posted by: Ho Chi Whimp8387 2008-07-19 01:34 |