Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 20, 2008 Iyyar 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 15:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Abducted IDF soldiers Eldad Regev (right) and Ehud Goldwasser. (Archive) Last update - 02:24 20/05/2008 PA sources: Status of kidnapped soldiers delaying prisoner swap By Yoav Stern and Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Ehud Olmert, Eldad Regev  The question of Israel's kidnapped soldiers missing in Lebanon is the obstacle delaying a prisoner swap, Palestinian sources told Haaretz on Monday. They also said that Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser are alive. "Israel is trying to put psychological pressure on Hezbollah through its statements, with the aim of finding out about the status of the abductees. A deal for two living soldiers is completely different in terms of extent than a deal for two soldiers who have been killed," a Palestinian source said Monday. The families of both Regev and Goldwasser declined to comment on the report, published in Haaretz on Monday that Israel refused to exchange Palestinian prisoners for them. Shlomo Goldwasser, Ehud's father, said he could not comment, while Eyal Regev, Eldad's brother, said he had no response. Karnit Goldwasser, Ehud's wife, said the report did not surprise her. "I know that when there is something to inform me about, I am informed," she added. Advertisement Miki Leibowitz, who is coordinating the public campaign for the kidnapped soldiers, said that, "Despite the current investigations of the prime minister for various crimes, it is completely obvious that Olmert's biggest crime is in not bringing the kidnapped soldiers home." Leibowitz called on the prime minister to "stop dealing with media spins and act to bring home the boys with the same intensity he is working on his personal matters." The Palestinian sources confirmed Monday's report in Haaretz that Israel has expressed a willingness to release only Lebanese prisoners for the two soldiers. The sources also said that the Jordanian prisoners committee was handling contacts with Hezbollah. Until recently it had been clear to those involved in the talks that Hezbollah would obtain the release of about 30 Jordanian prisoners still in Israeli jails, as well as some Druze prisoners from the Golan Heights whom Hezbollah regards as Syrian. In the previous prisoner swap, of early 2004, Israel refused to release either the Jordanians or the Druze. Assessments indicated that the parties were close to reaching an agreement and that if Israeli Arab security prisoners were released, they would willingly go to live in Jordan for five years. Apparently only two Israeli Arab prisoners, convicted of murdering an Israeli soldier, have been named in this context. Before the last prisoner deal, Hezbollah asked the Arab League to make inquiries in the Arab countries as to whether they wanted Hezbollah to negotiate for the release of their nationals serving time in Israeli jails. Jordan responded that it was not interested and would solve the matter directly with Israel. The political crisis and violence in Lebanon has meant that Hezbollah is busy with matters related to the new state of affairs and is not intensively working on a swap, the Palestinian sources said. Related articles: Israel to Hezbollah: Forget Palestinian prisoners in swap for IDF soldiers Israel to Hezbollah: Forget Palestinian prisoners in swap for IDF soldiers Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.   1.   Now it`s the "status" of Eldad and Ehud.... 07:40  |  Esther 20/05/08   2.   As if we have no right to know how they are! 11:42  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 20/05/08   3.   I`m sure they`re delighted 13:39  |  Clickfool 20/05/08   4.   An olive, an olive, my Clickfool for an olive 15:22  |  Gordon Brown 20/05/08

Read & React Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week Responses: 43 Amos Harel: Iran's fingerprints all over Gaza strife Responses: 49 McCain blasts Obama for Iran threat comments Responses: 68 Jerusalem, Petah Tikva ban 'Sex in the City' film adverts Responses: 45 Rosner's Domain Guests: In regard to Hezbollah, Israeli deterrence works Hyping the threat from Iran (WTR) What makes Nancy Pelosi pro-Israeli? Poll: Was Bush attacking Obama? The hysteria over talking to Hamas (WTR) More Headlines 15:19 Palestinians: IAF strikes in Gaza kill Hamas man, 13-year-old boy 13:17 Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week 11:51 ANALYSIS: In Gaza conflict, Iran's fingerprints are everywhere 14:55 Ex-Sephardi Chief Rabbi Eliyahu hospitalized in critical condition 12:25 'Sex in the City' adverts banned in Jerusalem, Petah Tikvah 13:01 Handcuffed burglar killed after abducting Ashdod policewoman 12:55 Al Gore, in Israel: We face a planetary emergency 15:26 State Comptroller refuses to discuss Olmert probe at Knesset meeting 14:54 German Muslim sentenced to 3 years in jail for stabbing rabbi 11:52 McCain blasts Obama for saying Iran poses lesser threat than Soviets 11:58 Police to question Olmert Fri. for second time in Talansky probe 02:24 PA sources: Status of kidnapped soldiers delaying prisoner swap Previous Editions Select Day 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may

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