Israel/ Hezbullah Prisoner Exchange Completed:
Abducted Israeli Soldiers, Dead.

Israeli army confirms identities of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers
July 16, 2008. Adapted from debka.com

Hizballah delivered the remains of Eldad Regev, Ehud Goldwasser, whose kidnap triggered the 2006 Lebanon War, Wednesday, July 16, in return for 199 bodies, most of terrorists, and five live prisoners, including Samir Kuntar, the Nahariya murderer. Hizballah delayed informing Israel whether the two soldiers were alive or dead for two years up until the 0900 Wednesday handover.

The five Hizballah prisoners and 199 bodies are on their way to Lebanon, including the Nahariya murderer Samir Kuntar, imprisoned for the brutal murder in 1979 of a 4-year old Israeli girl, her father, a policeman and another civilian. He awaits a heroes’ welcome in Lebanon. Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank joined the celebration.

From Ynetnews.com

Peres: Moral victory is ours.
President Peres slams Lebanon celebrations, stresses differences between Israel, Hizbullah


Olmert: We paid heavy price for captives

Prime Minister Olmert issues official statement, says his heart goes out to captives' families

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert issued Wednesday evening an official statement after the prisoner swap with Hizbullah was completed. and in the wake of the tragic return of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who returned to Israel in coffins.

"The entire nation of Israel is hugging the mourning Goldwasser and Regev families," the statement read. "We are tearful and our heart goes out to the relatives, who fought tirelessly and did not lose hope until the last moment."

Olmert said "this was a day of removing doubts, certainly in respect to the fate of Udi and Eldad, may they rest in peace, but also with regards to the people of Israel's moral strength."

"Based on this strength, we decided to bring back the boys even at the heavy price of releasing a despicable murderer," he said. "A foreigner wouldn't understand what every Israeli understands well: The mutual responsibility and concern for each one of our soldiers is the glue that connects us as a society."

Olmert added: "The concern for each one of our soldiers is what enables us to survive in an environment surrounded by enemies and terror organizations…woe to the nation that at this time celebrates the release of an animal who crushed the skill of a four-year-old child."

"On this day, my heart goes out to the Goldwasser and Regev families. May the memory of the sons be blessed," the prime minister concluded.