Israel willing to discuss possible prisoner swap: report

[Judi Lynn]

Israel willing to discuss possible prisoner swap: report
Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:16am ET

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is willing to discuss a possible release of Hizbollah prisoners in exchange for freeing two Israeli soldiers abducted by Lebanese guerrillas last month, the Haaretz newspaper reported on Sunday.

The report was published on the newspaper's Web site as the Israeli cabinet was set to approve a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and due to go into effect on Monday.
(snip/)

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-08-13T081622Z_01_L1335585_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-ISRAEL-PRISONERS.xml

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Isn't this what started the whole thing anyway

That Lebanon wanted to do prisoner exchange to bolster the new government and the Israelis refused?

[Judi Lynn]

2. More of the article was published in the Washington Post:

Israel willing to discuss prisoner swap: report
Reuters
Sunday, August 13, 2006; 4:53 AM

~snip~
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he will not negotiate to free the soldiers Hizbollah captured in a July 12 cross-border raid, but Israel has traded prisoners for its own captives in the past.

"Israel has done, is doing and will do all it is able to do in order to effect the return home of the sons," Olmert told his cabinet at the outset of its weekly session on Sunday.

Israel Radio quoted Olmert as telling ministers he would name a senior official to deal with the issue and "a tremendous struggle is being waged to free them."

Haaretz said Israel would negotiate the release of the troops and that in exchange Israel would be ready to free several Lebanese prisoners and about 20 other Hizbollah men it has captured during its current offensive in Lebanon.
(snip/)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/13/AR2006081300099.html