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Israel, Hezbollah Sign Prisoner Swap Deal

nationalpost.com — Israel and Hezbollah have signed a U.N.-mediated prisoner exchange deal and the date for the swap will be settled this week, a Lebanese political source and the Israeli prime minister's office said on Monday.

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  • ironeus, on 08/01/2008, -5/+30The five Lebanese prisoners are alive and the 2 Israeli soldiers are not; if they are it would be a miracle.
    • swrostmore, on 07/08/2008, -4/+8[citation needed]
    • alexkreuz, on 07/09/2008, -2/+0Lets put this in perspective, shall we.

      Israel is handing over 5 living, and 200 dead Arabs.
      Lebanon is handing over 2 dead Israelis.

      Somehow, everyone is ignoring the "200 dead Arabs" figure and jumping to the conclusion that 5 living isn't worth 2 dead. By that rationale is 2 dead worth 200 dead?



      "Under the deal, which was negotiated by a German intelligence officer, Israel will also hand over the bodies of around 200 Arabs killed while infiltrating northern Israel while Hezbollah would return body parts of Israeli soldiers killed in south Lebanon in 2006.

      The dead include Palestinian and Lebanese guerrillas killed in decades of conflict with Israel and the bodies of eight Hezbollah fighters."

      http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/id ...
  • Fangsinmybeard, on 07/07/2008, -22/+6Well, so long as Israel doesn't start making their nukes go hot, we might manage to survive the peace process. But, the way they're acting lately, it's a good bet that Israel will trigger our global destruction.
  • sixsixsixtimer, on 07/08/2008, -15/+14If the soldiers are returned dead Israel ought to launch an all out attack on Syria and Iran to crush the funders of Hezbollah. The US may be weary of war, but Americans must understand that Israel is its best ally in the Middle East.
    • TiKoZ, on 07/08/2008, -8/+4LMAO, Syria AND Iran :D ? good luck with that :D
      • kingfoot, on 07/08/2008, -8/+9dont need luck. we have ***** isreal... more advanced than anyone in terms of war tech.
      • archiesteel, on 07/08/2008, -4/+7Tech in itself isn't sufficient to win a war.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -6/+6They've got also experience, and one very important thing that keeps them fighting - They know that if the other side puts down their arms, they can live in Peace. If Israel puts down its arms, Israelis will perish.
      • archiesteel, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Both sides need to put down their arms, otherwise this conflict will endure for centuries...
      • Polarize, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1@archiesteel:

        "Tech in itself isn't sufficient to win a war."

        Against Muslims it is.

    • gcnaddict, on 07/08/2008, -12/+2That would be bad, seeing as to how the Vatican and the Islamic Republic of Iran probably have a secret alliance of sorts.

      You'd be surprised how similar Shi'ite Islam and Catholicism are.
      • Qong, on 07/08/2008, -3/+2That is by far the most ignorant comment that I've read in a very long time. Comparing Catholicism with radical Islam is laughable.

        Kill yourself.
      • gcnaddict, on 07/08/2008, -2/+1"That is by far the most ignorant comment that I've read in a very long time. Comparing Catholicism with radical Islam is laughable.

        Kill yourself."

        That was by far the most bigoted, ignorant, *and* insulting comment I have read in a while.
        Shi'ite Islam is the second most popular Islamic sect. Most radical Islamists are Sunni, but that's irrelevant.

        I urge you to read this and stop being such an ignorant person.
        http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1687 ...
      • gcnaddict, on 07/08/2008, -2/+1I should probably add that I was referring to the government of Iran as opposed to Hezbollah. No one in Iran has sympathy for Hezbollah (except those who keep themselves dressed in robes so black that they cook like rotisserie chickens).

        My point was that an attack on Iran as a nation would be a terribly unwise move for the reason I listed before.
      • txchica, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2@gcnaddict, I'm sure you didn't mean that the religions themselves are similar. In the article it states that the two "have a surprisingly similar structure and approach to their different faiths", not that the two faiths are similar.
      • gcnaddict, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2@txchica

        The religions are both abrahamic. Both believe, to some extent, in a second coming of Christ (I'm only qualified to speak about Shi'ite Islam here), and both believe in the same God. Both agree that Jesus was, at the very least, a prophet (though Christianity sees Jesus as the Son of God. Hey, whatever works). See this is why I hate these conflicts: these three religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) all believe in the same God. I don't see why any of these sides needs to keep starting this stuff.

        Beyond that and a few other things (like bible stories), there aren't many similarities. However, in terms of structure, yeah. That's what I meant for the most part.
      • txchica, on 07/10/2008, -1/+1@gcnaddict, I agree that any conflict over religion is just asinine and a complete waste of time and lives. I'm Catholic which is why I was surprised at your initial comment, but you are correct that the 3 religions do believe in the same God, which is why I think it's crazy to fight over the differences between them when the one common denominator is our belief in the same God. I'm all for freedom of religion and think that everyone has the right to believe in or not believe in God, as long as those beliefs don't infringe on anyone else's rights to do the same. Too bad not everyone believes in those freedoms, if they did there would be a lot less conflict in this world.
      • Qong, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Whether "most radical Islamists are Sunni" is unknown to me. The fact is that people in both of the most popular Islamic denomination are extremists.

        Do you deny that Shia Islam is currently responsible for oppressing a great many people around the world?

        You likely already know this, but let me just reiterate it for you: The oppressive and murderous form of Catholicism ended centuries ago. You won't see people being burned or stoned to death in the middle of the Piazza San Pietro; nor will you see people being oppressed and killed in the name of Catholicism.


        With that said:

        I apologize for insulting your religion in my original comment and I deeply regret making such a statement. I also realize that what I said above is harsh, I'm sorry but it had to be said.

        Initially I thought that you were insulting Catholicism (Note: I'm not religious at all, never have been, never plan to be. I just dislike extremists,) by comparing it to Shia Islam.

        I certainly understand the comparison being made at the heart of both religions, and I respect that. I appreciate both religions equally, and I would certainly denounce anything done by either side that I view as being wrong.

        It's just that, at this current time, Islam is where the extremists are; as sad as that is to say, it's a realization that has to be made. The Catholic Church has no real pull, and it doesn't have crazy people taking ungodly actions in its name; but sadly, Islam currently does.

        I also never meant to insinuate that all Muslims, whether they be Shia or of another denomination, are extremists; nor did I intend to make a statement that all of Shia Islam is extreme. I realize that every religion, that every organization for that matter, can have its fair share of extremists.


        Again, I apologize for the ignorant comment above; hopefully I've won a bit of my dignity back at least.

        Peace be upon you; God bless; and good luck.
    • cabdirazzaq, on 07/08/2008, -13/+5How many Americans must die for your terrorism? I'm surprised Americans haven't done anything about it yet, but you can't fool the public forever into sending their sons and daughters to die in your bloody wars.

      Go to hell.
      • gcnaddict, on 07/08/2008, -6/+6Agreed, but we don't own our own government anymore.
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -2/+9Stop impersonating other users.
      Israel retaliated for the kidnapping. The only thing that would call for another retalation, is if the soldiers were alive when they were captured, but were killed in captivity. Either case, all out war is not a good idea for anyone.
      • sixsixsixtimer, on 07/08/2008, -6/+2I am not impersonating other users. The soldiers were alive when they were captured!
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -1/+5If dead, an autopsy can tell when they were killed, and if it happened in the past few months. Let's wait until we draw conclusions.
      • yosserhughes, on 07/08/2008, -4/+3Why is it that when Israel gets a Hezbolah soldier, he's captured. But when Hezbolah gets an Israeli soldier he's kidnapped.
      • foopirata, on 07/08/2008, -1/+7Mostly because in the cases of Hezbolah _soldiers_ we don't go over the border looking for them during a lull in combat. We capture them during combat operations.

        Hizzb'Allah, on the other hand, crossed the border under cover of diversionary action at a period when no combat was taking place, with the explicit objective of kidnapping soldiers, _as_they_themselves_declare.
      • 140Suffolk, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2All out war is a fantastic idea. If you're interested in protecting your children.

      • BigBenKlingon, on 07/09/2008, -2/+1I wish I could reach through the internet and smack the ***** out of you.
    • ramow, on 07/08/2008, -14/+11do you know that Hezbolah was founded because israel invaded Lebanon and occupied part of it for 18 years!!!!
      do you know that Hezbolah fighters are Lebanese defending their land, houses, schools, and families!!!!!!

      I am not defending anyone but merely stating facts that most of people don't know but should know about!

      I urge you to go to lebanon and take a look at the atrocities and destruction israel have done to Lebanon.

      Do you know that Lebanon is mentioned 72 times in the bible and its history and name goes beyond even jews in the region?
      Do yo know that freedom of speech in Lebanon is better than in the US (trust me it is true, you won't believe unless you live there)?
      Do you that the first alphabet in the whole world was invented in Lebanon by Phoenicians?

      Lebanese people wants peace! they love life and they just ask from israel some respect!

      I dream of one day to be able to have my morning coffee in Beirut and then drink my evening tea in Jerusalem.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -4/+20Do you know that Hezbollah is a Terrorist group, that has killed infinite civilians? Including attacks on American targets in Lebanon and Jewish(Not Israeli, Jewish) targets around the world?

        Do you know that Israel invaded Lebanon, in order to stop terrorist actions performed by Lebanese in Israeli territories?

        Do you know that Israel hasn't occupied Lebanese land for over 8 years now, and yet Hezbollah has kidnapped and killed soldiers within Israel?

        Do you know that the last War in Lebanon was caused because of one of those unprovoked kidnappings by Hezbollah?
        Do you know that Hezbollah later used Lebanese schools and villages to hide rockets that were fired towards Israeli towns?

        Lebanese people want peace. Israeli people want peace as well. Lebanese people will receive peace when they finally act against Terrorists and Militias, and decide to become a sovereign country. They were given that exact chance after Israel withdrew in 2000, and the Syrians took out their personnel a few years later. Instead of using this to begin a way of peace, this was used to further strike into Israel, proving to Israel that no matter how much Israelis want peace, there is no partner willing to seek it?
      • sodade, on 07/08/2008, -3/+3I was listening to you until you started talking about the bible.
      • shayben, on 07/08/2008, -2/+12Do you know that Israel invaded Lebanon in 82 because of an assassination attempt on an Israeli Ambassador by the PLO (Yasser Arafat, the leader of the PLO was banished to Lebanon at the time)?
        Do you know that no one is trying to take the houses of Lebanese, and Israel is simply trying to protect their borders?
        Do you know that all destruction that was ever done to Lebanon is a result of the atrocities terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah commit every day?

        The rest of your post is fine.
  • wreckosaurus, on 07/08/2008, -2/+44Samir Kuntar, this is one of the guys that Israel is releasing in the exchange: Kuntar was convicted for a 1979 attack in which he shot and killed an Israeli man in front of his 4-year-old daughter before smashing her head against a rock and tossing her into the sea. The victim's 2-year-old daughter was accidentally smothered by her mother, who tried to keep her quiet as they hid from the attackers. He is hailed as a hero by Hezbollah.

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/29/israel.h ...
    • wisam, on 07/08/2008, -1/+18I'm really shocked by what this guy has done. What he did was a terrible thing. I heard about this guy before, but only as a long time Lebanese prisoner. He was even portrayed as a freedom fighter.

      I guess I have to watch less of Al-Manar TV. :)
    • Mr_Lyle, on 07/08/2008, -5/+21Buried as inaccurate. I read on digg that all the arab prisoners Israel is holding are poor, innocent people who's houses were broken into in the middle of the night by Israeli soldiers at random and they were dragged out kicking and screaming while their children were watching. Ya know, just cause they're sadistic bastards and get off on that sorta thing.


      /sarcasm
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -4/+13What an awful story... Reading it, I had tears in my eyes. Realizing that this man would not only be released, but he will be welcomed as a hero back in Lebanon just made full of Rage. If I were an Israeli soldier in captivity, I'd rather stay there, and endure daily torture by terrorists, than know that this peace of scum was released in exchange for me.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+5:/
        * but that he will
        * made me full of rage
        * piece of scum
  • thespamer, on 07/08/2008, -12/+2if the soldiers are still alive after all the destruction Israel caused to Lebanon on summer of 2006.
    then hezbollah needs a new leader.
    • Pittance, on 07/08/2008, -4/+5You don't execute prisoners of war just because your enemy is being evil. Take the moral high ground if at all possible.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+61. Please explain how Israel was "evil" towards Lebanon in the years from 2000 (when Israel completely withdrew from Lebanon) and 2006, where 3 different kidnappings of Israeli Soldiers and Civilians by Hezbollah terrorists were performed.
        2. How is someone that was captured in a Terrorist act of crossing an International border, and kidnapping soldiers that were patrolling the border, a prisoner of war?
      • thespamer, on 07/09/2008, -1/+0hezbollah is a militia in Lebanon that has more military power than the Leb army.

        they aren't part of Lebanon, they are a tool used by Syria and Iran to try to put pressure on Israel.

        i in no way condone the acts of Hezbollah, but since 2006 i sure like them more than Israel.

        besides there was never any indication that the 2 Israeli soldiers we ever taken alive.
  • Sanduu, on 07/08/2008, -1/+9A good news was if they ended fights
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+6The fights between Hezbollah and Israel are over. Now that there is a cease fire, Hezbollah is using the time to rebuild its military abilities, and divert their arms for internal Lebanese conflicts. Just a few months ago, they were using the same weapons they used to attack Israel, to try and bring down the Lebanese government.
      Why? Well, according to Hezbollah, they are "Lebanon in Iran, and Iran in Lebanon".
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -5/+5dkapuchino seriously, lay of the ***** and propaganda for a while . Hezbollah is not the only party in Lebanon that is against the current government in bed with the US. Plenty of Christian leaders like Michel Lahooud and Michel Aoun and Durz leader Weam Wahhab.

        Oh wait, the Christians must love Iran too!
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+6I apologize for my ***** and propaganda. I tend to be easily affected by sources such as Asharq Alawast, the Largest Arab Newspaper in the world.

        Here's what the editor-in-chief has to say about Hezbollah and Its attempt of a military take over of Lebanon:
        http://www.asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?sect ...
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -4/+21. It is not the largest Arabic news paper in the world nor is it the most influential media.

        2. Large does not equal correct, god knows how correct faux news is.

        3. This News paper is directed by Saudi prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, half-brother of the king, which is a conflict of interest given the immense animosity between Saudi Arabia and Shiite Hezbollah.

        Try something neutral instead. Al-Jazeera is considered the largest and most balanced news outlet in the arab world.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -2/+5Al Jazeera is funded by the Emir of Qatar. I guess it isn't neutral and balanced enough for you until it coincides with they way you view the world, ha?

        Well, here's what your neutral and balanced source has to say about Hezbollah's coup attempt:
        http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/ ...
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -4/+2Goood. Now that you made your first step into real news, you should learn to read:

        "From the other side of the political spectrum, Michel Aoun, a Christian leader allied with Hezbollah, said that normality should be restored on the streets.

        "The derailed carriage is now back on track. We hope from this point that things will fall back into the normal course [of events]," he said on Friday.

        Aoun said he had sent a letter to Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, and various member states of the UN Security Council, but "did not find a clear response to avert the crisis".

        Which brings me back to my point, which is that not only Hezbollah opposes the Lebanese government, but also some of the most prominent Maronite Christian leaders in Lebanon, which refutes your so called "Iran taking control over Lebanon" propaganda.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -1/+6Oh, that was your point?
        A christian leader is allied with Hezbollah, so that makes Hezbollah's attacks on the Lebanese government okay?
        Geez, according to that logic, Israel are the good guys also, since they were allied with the Christians in South Lebanon during 1982-2000.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -4/+1Do you actively try to put nonsense into other people's mouth in every post? Hezbollah's attacks on the government are "ok" because they are shared by the vast majority of Lebanon, and not just Hezbollah for that matter. Even the Lebanese army stopped short from acting against the opposition because it knows the failed Lebanese government stepped over the red lines of Lebanon, instead the army asked the Lebanese government to back down. Christians asked the government to back down. Many Druz asked the government to back down. It is not just a "Hezbollah-centric" issue the way you and AlSharq Alawsat propaganda are trying to put it.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2So according to that logic, if us democrats have a problem with the bush administration, and the whole "you voted for someone for four years, now either wait until his term is over or impeach him", all we need to do is claim we have the vast majority of support, and then we can just take our guns and start shooting people in the streets of D.C,
      • medfreak, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Wrong again. The opposition did not fight the Lebanese army, in fact they worked with the army, they did not overthrow the government which they were capable off. They fought March 14 militias that were related to the ruling part of the government. The same militias that were armed by the US and Israel to destabilize Lebanon.

        http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/05/0703 ...

        If the opposition ever intended to overthrow the government it could have done so in a heart beat. Clearly they did not do that nor wanted to do that as is evidenced by the fact that they reached for an agreement in Qatar.
      • thespamer, on 07/09/2008, -1/+0Michel Aoun is in no way a reference, this Man has a serious general de gaul complex he only cares about 1 thing is to be president and he would do that at all cost.

        he probably allied with hezbollah thinking that if they can succeed with there coup d'etat he would be president.
      • medfreak, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1No reference? Michel Aoun and his allied candidates won all major elections in the heartland Maronite christian area since 2005.

        http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6931761.stm

        http://english.people.com.cn/200506/14/eng20050614 ...

        http://theinnercircle.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/aou ...

        Besides I think it is far more obvious that the current illegitimate government in Lebanon (aka Siniora and Hariri and Junblat) are doing anything possible to remain in power including but not limited to following a greatly unpopular Israeli and US agenda in the region and asking for foreign US support.

        http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/05/0703 ...
      • thespamer, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1(this is going off topic but...)
        medfreak
        do you just read the news or do you live here?
        Aoun is not a reference cause he is actually insane, did you ever wonder why his shrink is always next to him.

        the problem with our leaders is they ARE all CORRUPT, they are working on personal agenda and none of them is doing something for the nation as a whole.

        the Harriri group are all thieves, so not much better (if any at all)
      • medfreak, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Well I do agree that a lot of political leaders can be corrupt, but I would like to know why you consider Aoun "insane"? A valid reason to support your claim could help your case.
  • josh4rim, on 07/08/2008, -12/+37Israel fills their part of the deal, as normal. Hezbollah doesn't, as normal. Israel sucks it up because the world says there is a chance for peace. Hezbollah attacks Israel.

    It has worked this way for decades, it won't be any different this time.
    • TiKoZ, on 07/08/2008, -13/+3Like when actually? sources would be appreciated (pulling facts out of your ass isn't)
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -5/+7Israel has withdrawn from Lebanon in 2000. Since that withdrawal, Hezbollah fighters have crossed the international border twice, attacking border patrols, and kidnapping Israeli soldiers. In addition, they have kidnapped an Israeli business man while doing business outside of Israel.
      • TiKoZ, on 07/08/2008, -6/+4"since 2000" is NOT "decades" :).
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+5Wow TiKoZ, excellent and valid claim. You win this time.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -5/+3Since 2000, Israel has crossed the Lebanese border with its Jet planes multiple number of times for a long time.

        http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3537139, ...

        http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=8535& ...

        They even almost had a skirmish with the UN forces there. Not to mention they still occupy Lebanese lands.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -4/+2http://tadamon.resist.ca/index.php/?p=246
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -2/+1How many times has Russia invaded Norwegian and British airspace? I don't see the Brits invading Russian soil by land, kidnapping Russian soldiers and civilians. Do you?
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -5/+3You mean like Israel does over and over again last during this year?

        http://www.lebanonwire.com/0801MLN/08010735AF.asp

        Btw before you complain about the source, it is from AFP.
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -2/+3I have no complaints towards the source nor the news peice you've provided. I do have complaints about how you reinterpret what is says.

        Israel put up a fence to protect it's border. For strategic reasons, that fence can't always go exactly on the border, and sometimes must go further into Israeli land. That means that Israel still has land beyond the fence. Suspicious activity was identfied beyond the fence, but within Israeli land. He was arrested, taken for questioning, and returned to Lebanon. The whole event was reported by Israel to the UN.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -3/+3Lebanon still has land occupied by Israel. Except one side kidnaps Soldiers in military operations, while the other kidnaps goat herders. Secondly, the UN and the Lebanese clearly declared he was on Lebanese land, but it is no surprise all you will listen to is Israeli military lies.
    • rwald, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1My God, you have a score >10 with that comment. I wouldn't have thought it possible.
  • toetagger, on 07/08/2008, -6/+1I feel all warm and cozy.
  • chopsky, on 07/08/2008, -7/+8What happened to not negotiating with terrorists?
    Hezbollah are terrorists. Should Israel have to give something back to them in return for their soldiers? No, you don't compromise with criminals. You show them they're wrong by punishing them and taking back from them with force what they took from you with force.
    • gcnaddict, on 07/08/2008, -4/+10I don't take sides on these issues, but have you considered the other point of view? Those living under Hezbollah's rule likely think of Hezbollah as freedom fighters, defenders of their beliefs, etc.

      Same way we think we Americans think our military defends our freedom, the Israelis think the Israeli Army defends Israel's values, etc.

      One man's terrorist is, more likely than not, another man's freedom fighter. (The only exceptions might be the FARC and Al Qaeda).
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -4/+6A freedom fighter fights soldiers and governments. A terrorist shatters a 4 year old Israeli girl's skull with his gun, and dumps her body in the sea.

        As for considering the other point of view - Here are a few articles from the Asharq Alawsat newspaper. This is the leading Arab newspaper, I'd even call it the voice of the Arabs:

        Nasrallah Does Not Represent Lebanon - http://www.asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?sect ...
        "The leader of the divine party is more obsessed with the Iranian position than he is with Lebanese peace and security. He was the one who previously stated that Lebanon is an open battlefield and was responsible for the invalidation of the state after he dragged Lebanon into the 2006 war, with unprecedented repercussions – and he admits to that."

        http://www.asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?sect ...
        "The Legend of Hezbollah ceased to be after it turned its weapons internally on Lebanon. In the wake of [Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan] Nasrallah's speech and after declaring war on Siniora's government;" ... "This lie about Hezbollah's resistance is one we have encountered often in our contemporary history, and we still continue to believe it and argue over it even though we know that it is nothing but a lie."
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -2/+1Haha, it seems Al-Sharq Alwasat propaganda machine is the only source you use. Considering almost all of the Shiite (35% of Lebanon) and a large majority of the Christians (40% of Lebanon) support Hizbollah, they probably do represent Lebanon more than the current government ever would, and are most likely to have a landslide win in the next parliamentary elections.
    • notanidiot, on 07/08/2008, -3/+7In any war up to this point, if the term "terrorism" were around, the enemy would have been called "terrorists" and there would have never been a peace treaty. This whole idea of "we don't negotiate with terrorists" is ludicrous, considering we started a "War on Terror." Every war has to end with a peace treaty, otherwise its not war, its genocide. Genocide is defined as the systematic killing of people of a certain religion, race, or political affiliation. If you want genocide on your conscience, keep up this ideal of not negotiating with terrorists.
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+4It died together with all our other values.
      People don't realize that by caving into terrorist demands now, you are only inviting the next terrorist attack.
      It's not a matter of being right or wrong, it's just a matter of being smart. If they see it works, they'll continue doing it.
    • 140Suffolk, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Israel should bomb Lebanon until it's flat.
      They allow themselves to be ruled by Hezbollah, they allow Hezbollah to attack from their territory.
  • publius84, on 07/08/2008, -11/+6I like how so many of the comments here are more hostile to Hezbollah than the Israeli govt apparently is. Its always funny when the ultra-Zionists get mad at Israel for not acting sufficiently Zionist!
  • cabdirazzaq, on 07/08/2008, -13/+8What about the 11,000 prisoners that Israel keeps under circumstances worse than those at Gitmo (according to Human Rights Watch)? It has been reported that some of them are teenagers who are being locked for years, why? Because they threw stones at tanks.
    • sixsixsixtimer, on 07/08/2008, -5/+7Israeli prisons are in better condition than most state penitenciaries in the United States. I wonder what a Palestinian prison would be like...
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -4/+7Long time Israeli prisoners get to see a judge, they get represented, and tried according to Israeli law.
      It would take a fool to believe that palestinian fighters result to only throwing stones at tanks. They have firearms, explosives, and they have claimed the lives of thousands of Israelis, soldiers and civilians.
      • archiesteel, on 07/08/2008, -2/+4You know that far more Palestinians civilians (including women and children) have died from Israeli attacks than the other way around, right?

        How much more is an Israeli life worth than a Palestinian one?

        - No peace without negotiations
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2http://www.rememberthesechildren.org/remember2008. ...
      • leroi2, on 07/09/2008, -2/+2Yes but as one should surely be aware Israeli law shifts in order to serve its purposes. Most notably: their ILLEGAL, as is recognized by international law, occupation settlements in the West Bank. As they'd have us see it, this is security purposes only.
    • kcfreels, on 07/08/2008, -4/+3Seems pretty stupid to throw anything at a tank except an anti-tank missile. They are lucky they ended up in prison instead of smashed in the treads of a Merkava tank.

      Also, conditions at Gitmo are not that bad, pretty nice for a prison, if I so say so myself. Way nicer than either the Wilson County TN, or Mooresville, IN jails I've been in here in the US.
  • battleangel7, on 07/08/2008, -10/+20So the Lebanese get two terrorists back,
    and the Israels get back a bag of bones.
    • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -9/+5Soldiers that kill children with tech weaponry in Airplanes / tanks / artillery / sniper fire does not make them any better. It just makes them as cowardly as suicide bombers, except they survive the bombing and are greeted as heroes in Israel.

      http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/02/lebano1 ...

      "The Israeli government initially claimed that the military targeted the house because Hezbollah fighters had fired rockets from the area. Human Rights Watch researchers who visited Qana on July 31, the day after the attack, did not find any destroyed military equipment in or near the home. Similarly, none of the dozens of international journalists, rescue workers and international observers who visited Qana on July 30 and 31 reported seeing any evidence of Hezbollah military presence in or around the home. Rescue workers recovered no bodies of apparent Hezbollah fighters from inside or near the building.

      The IDF subsequently changed its story, with one of Israel’s top military correspondents reporting on August 1 that, “It now appears that the military had no information on rockets launched from the site of the building, or the presence of Hezbollah men at the time.” "
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -3/+7Burried as propaganda. Israeli soldiers would never knowingly target a child or an innocent civilian.

        In addition, Hezbollah is a militia, they have soldiers, snipers, advanced communication and intelligence gear, anti tank missiles, artillery and they were even able to disable an Israeli war ship with an anti-ship missile they got from Iran.

        The Qana incident was tragic. It is the direct result of Hezbollah SOLDIERS, using the Lebanese people as human sheilds, firing rockets and hiding weapons in dense civilian populations.
        This was indeed tragic. Israel had incorrect intelligence of terrorist hiding in that building, and thought it was empty of civilians. These are the casualities of war.

        At least when Israel kills innocent civilians, they investigate into it. When Israels enemies kill Israeli civilians, they go celebrating on the streets, singing and throwing candies.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -5/+3Did you bother to read?

        1. Human Rights Watch. I never knew they were Islamic terrorist propaganda agency

        2. Human shields is a proven lie.

        "Human Rights Watch researchers who visited Qana on July 31, the day after the attack, did not find any destroyed military equipment in or near the home. Similarly, none of the dozens of international journalists, rescue workers and international observers who visited Qana on July 30 and 31 reported seeing any evidence of Hezbollah military presence in or around the home. Rescue workers recovered no bodies of apparent Hezbollah fighters from inside or near the building. "

        But keep perpetuating the myth in your head, you might believe it.
      • DrDreyfus, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2"1. Human Rights Watch. I never knew they were Islamic terrorist propaganda agency

        2. Human shields is a proven lie."

        1. HRW takes a strikingly anti-Israel bias. Show me a report about rockets being fired into Israel.

        2. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/nov/20/israel
        "Palestinians use human shield to halt Israeli air strike on militants' homes"

        http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1120/p01s02-wome.htm ...
        Palestinian human shields give Israel pause

        ^This one they actually acknowledge that they are human shields setting up defense to protect not just their homes (which Israel called them to warn they would be in danger because of their proximity to a terrorist safe house) but a safe house for terrorists.
    • alexkreuz, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Lebanon also gets back 200 bags of bones.

      http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/id ...
  • SethEllis, on 07/08/2008, -6/+21What a crappy deal for Israel. They release 5 murders in exchange for 2 dead bodies? I'm surprised they agreed to it.
    • alexkreuz, on 07/09/2008, -1/+05 murders for 2 dead murders.
      Soldiers kill people you know.

      Murderers all around.
  • chrissku, on 07/08/2008, -7/+9Why is Israel negotiating with a terrorist organization?
  • SaladCactusKing, on 07/08/2008, -3/+21Hezbollah killed two POWs and is now sending back their remains. Israel gives back a man who executed a man then proceeded to smash said victim's four year old daughter's skull in. Samir Kuntar is alive and well, but these soldiers are dead.

    If this is how peace will be earned, then so be it. But if I could, I'd send Samir Kantar back in a bodybag too.
    • sixsixsixtimer, on 07/08/2008, -7/+3Israel should have kept up the bombardment of Lebanon until the POWs were handed back alive, stating that each and every last Hezbollah member would meet a grizzly fate. These people are uncivilized and can't be handled with kid gloves.
      • SaladCactusKing, on 07/08/2008, -1/+7Impersonating users is against Digg TOS. Reported.
      • sixsixsixtimer, on 07/08/2008, -6/+0I am not impersonating anybody.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -3/+4Actually, Hezbollah's attackes were only getting stronger by the end of the war. If Israel continued the bombardment, so would have Hezbollah, and most of Israel would be living in shelters till this day like they did much of the war.
      • sixsixsixtimer, on 07/08/2008, -7/+0Actually Lebanon would have been reduced to the rubble it needs to be. At least the southern part.
      • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -2/+5Israel stopped at nothing from using all of its military power. Top of the line bunker busters, "smart" bombs, spy satellites and Air attacks. The only thing left would have been using nukes. Considering southern Lebanon's closeness to Northern Israel, that is out of the question.
      • archiesteel, on 07/08/2008, -1/+5"Actually Lebanon would have been reduced to the rubble it needs to be. At least the southern part."

        If you really think that way, you are part of the problem. You can't win peace by force alone - you need justice as well. Overwhelming force will only create more problems down the road when the root causes are not addressed.
      • NeoConSlayer, on 07/08/2008, -0/+5Troll alert -
        sixsixsixtimer Joined on 07/08/2008 and as of 17:40 CST it already has 67 comments.

        Block function engaged.
      • alexkreuz, on 07/09/2008, -0/+0"Israel should have kept up the bombardment of Lebanon"

        And he proceeds forward to claim that Israel doesn't "knowingly" kill women or children. Well yes that may be true. I suppose when you randomly cluster bomb a country you don't really know who you kill.
    • medfreak, on 07/08/2008, -4/+4There is no evidence that they are dead. And if the soldiers are dead, who says they were not mortally wounded by the attack that lead to their capture during the war?

      Apparently some people around here have access to info that the Israeli government and the Mossad does not possess.
  • arielb86, on 07/08/2008, -1/+12I will take this chance to, instead of bashing either side of the conflict, to hope that this would be the first stone towards a real peace agreement and a long term cooperation. (i know the situation is quite volatile) but I want to be positive that things can work for better.Also would like to congratulate Egypt(i believe) as a mediator for the succesful(?) truce.
  • BonersMilloy, on 07/08/2008, -15/+2If the Arabs really want to win they shouldn't be investing in nuclear weapons, rather something much simpler. OVENS!
    • BonersMilloy, on 07/08/2008, -2/+2OH GOD! I swore i deleted this. I deserve to be buried and ridiculed.
      • Qong, on 07/08/2008, -3/+1Seriously... What the hell were you thinking writing something like that?
      • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -2/+1You deserve much worse.
      • triad203, on 07/08/2008, -1/+1***** you. That's not some ***** you say and then pretend it's a mistake. That's disgusting, you pathetic excuse for a human.
  • Genrre, on 07/08/2008, -6/+6The Zohan should be present at the swap to ensure a lack of monkey-business on Hezbollah's part.
  • andrewlevy, on 07/08/2008, -4/+2i wonder if Israel implanted some kind of tracking device on Kantar...after all he sent a letter promising his continued "jihad" after he is released...just release the guy, and see where he goes?
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -2/+3I'm pretty sure those things only exist in the movies.
  • mujahideenryder, on 07/08/2008, -6/+4"Under the deal, which was negotiated by a German intelligence officer, Israel will also hand over the bodies of around 200 Arabs killed "
    while infiltrating northern Israel while Hezbollah would return body parts of Israeli soldiers killed in south Lebanon in 2006."
    200 arab bodies for 2 israeli bodies

    if my math is correct that means 1 israeli = 100 arabs.
    • dkapuchino, on 07/08/2008, -4/+6What it means is that Israel values it's soldiers and civilians more than the terrorist organizations do. The Israeli soldiers were kidnapped while patrolling the Israeli border, within Israeli land (recognized as the official border by the UN and the entire world). Israel has a moral obligation to return these soldiers. If it didn't it would have no justification sending other soldiers to defend its borders.
      The terrorists on the other hand, went to die knowingly, believing that killing Israelis will grant them a seat in heaven, a side 72 mustached virgins.
      • yosserhughes, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2They wern't kidnapped , they were captured.
      • alexkreuz, on 07/09/2008, -2/+0"believing that killing Israelis will grant them a seat in heaven, a side 72 mustached virgins."

        You had me til you got to that point. Down you go.
    • foopirata, on 07/08/2008, -2/+5Considering that that was Hizzb'Allah's request, it probably goes to show how they see things.
  • footfwd, on 07/08/2008, -4/+5There was that so hard....
  • Mosharm, on 07/08/2008, -6/+0Are they idiots.... this only encourages the terrorists to take more prisoners. What they should do is execute 10 for everyone the terrorists take and then bury them in pig skin.
  • ExtraEye, on 07/08/2008, -1/+5The problem with the deal is, in my opinion, that I don't see a reason for kidnappers to leave their prisoner alive if they can get trade him as a body...
  • 140Suffolk, on 07/09/2008, -2/+1Israel should bomb the West Bank flat. Bomb Gaza flat. Likewise Lebanon.
  • lichtash, on 07/16/2008, -0/+0To all of you who still wonder, this is the difference between Israel and those who crave its destruction:

    Source: Wikipedia under Samir Kuntar
    Treatment in prison (of Samir Kuntar)
    During his imprisonment, Kuntar married an Israeli Arab woman who is an activist on behalf of militant prisoners, but divorced her. While they were married, she received a monthly stipend from the Israeli government, an entitlement due to her status as a wife of a prisoner.[4] Also during his imprisonment Kuntar graduated from the Open University of Israel in social and political science.[citation needed

    Treatment of Israeli captives: Death after Nasrallah himself admitted that they were captured alive.
  •  

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