Israel to Trade Convicts for 2 Soldiers

Hezbollah hails swap as evidence of its growing power
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 29, 2008 7:33 PM CDT
Israel to Trade Convicts for 2 Soldiers
Lebanese activivsts post pictures of prisoner Samir Kantar in the northern city of Sidon today, after the Israel's Cabinet voted to release Kantar in exchange for the bodies of two of its soldiers.   (AP Photo)

Israeli officials today approved a prisoner swap with Hezbollah to release the bodies of two soldiers whose capture triggered a 2006 war, Reuters reports. In return, Hezbollah secured the freedom of five gunmen, including one of Israel’s “most notorious convicts,” the New York Times says. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said he “vacillated deeply” over the deal, which Hezbollah touted as a victory. (More Israel stories.)

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