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Israel approves prisoner exchange Israel approves prisoner exchange
(30 minutes later)
Israel's cabinet has approved a prisoner swap with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.Israel's cabinet has approved a prisoner swap with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
The swap would see the return of the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah two years ago.The swap would see the return of the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah two years ago.
In return, Israel will reportedly hand over five Lebanese detainees and the bodies of 10 militants.In return, Israel will reportedly hand over five Lebanese detainees and the bodies of 10 militants.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier that the two soldiers were dead. Their capture triggered Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in mid-2006.Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier that the two soldiers were dead. Their capture triggered Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in mid-2006.
The cabinet approved the German-brokered exchange by 22 votes out of 25 present at the meeting, Israeli radio reported.The cabinet approved the German-brokered exchange by 22 votes out of 25 present at the meeting, Israeli radio reported.
Controversial exchangeControversial exchange
Before the vote, Mr Olmert had urged his cabinet to approve the swap, even though he said the two soldiers were probably dead.Before the vote, Mr Olmert had urged his cabinet to approve the swap, even though he said the two soldiers were probably dead.
"We know what happened to them," Mr Olmert was quoted telling his cabinet by the Associated Press."We know what happened to them," Mr Olmert was quoted telling his cabinet by the Associated Press.
He said they were probably killed during the raid or shortly after. He said they had probably been killed during the raid or shortly after. Evidence from the scene of their capture indicated that at least one of them was badly wounded.
"There is no doubt that today's discussion has special weight and is exceptionally sensitive in terms of its national and moral implications," Mr Olmert said before cabinet convened."There is no doubt that today's discussion has special weight and is exceptionally sensitive in terms of its national and moral implications," Mr Olmert said before cabinet convened.
Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006
Observers say it is the first time the Israeli government has confirmed that Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are no longer alive.Observers say it is the first time the Israeli government has confirmed that Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are no longer alive.
Critics have opposed swapping prisoners for the bodies of dead Israeli troops.Critics have opposed swapping prisoners for the bodies of dead Israeli troops.
In exchange for the soldiers, a number of Lebanese detainees are to be set free, possibly including one man, Samir Qantar, who has been in jail since 1979 for his part in a deadly border raid.In exchange for the soldiers, a number of Lebanese detainees are to be set free, possibly including one man, Samir Qantar, who has been in jail since 1979 for his part in a deadly border raid.
His release would be controversial in Israel because of his role in the deaths of three members of one family, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.His release would be controversial in Israel because of his role in the deaths of three members of one family, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.
Hezbollah has given no public indication that the two Israeli soldiers are still alive.Hezbollah has given no public indication that the two Israeli soldiers are still alive.
The Red Cross has never been allowed to see them and many in Israel assume they are dead.The Red Cross has never been allowed to see them and many in Israel assume they are dead.
Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war after the soldiers were seized by Hezbollah in a cross-border raid into Israel in July 2006.Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war after the soldiers were seized by Hezbollah in a cross-border raid into Israel in July 2006.
Germany has been trying to broker a prisoner exchange since the war ended.Germany has been trying to broker a prisoner exchange since the war ended.
On 1 June, Hezbollah handed over the remains of five Israeli soldiers killed in the war.On 1 June, Hezbollah handed over the remains of five Israeli soldiers killed in the war.
The remains were delivered after Israel released a Lebanese-born man who had served six years in prison for spying for Hezbollah.The remains were delivered after Israel released a Lebanese-born man who had served six years in prison for spying for Hezbollah.
Another Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, remains a prisoner of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.Another Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, remains a prisoner of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
He was seized in a raid on an Israeli army position on the edge of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has said it would consider releasing him as part of a prisoner exchange.He was seized in a raid on an Israeli army position on the edge of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has said it would consider releasing him as part of a prisoner exchange.