Kidnapped IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are expected back in Israel today as part of the prisoner swap with Hizbullah. “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) reports that Hizbullah claims that both soldiers have reached the Israel-Lebanon border. The cabinet gave the final go-ahead for the swap last night, and President Shimon Peres signed the pardon for Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar.
The border zone at Rosh Hanikra, where the swap will take place, was declared a closed military area last night and only authorized personnel will be allowed in. Israel security forces deployed along the border at 7 am today.
Red Cross representatives in Lebanon transferred two coffins to the Israeli side of the border. The IDF Rabbinate will handle the identification procedure with assistance from forensic staff from Abu Kabir, if necessary.
The identification process is expected to be lengthy and it is not known precisely how long it will take. When completed, two IDF generals will go to the soldiers' families to deliver the findings. Family members will be able see the soldiers at an IDF base in the north.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 16, 2008
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