Israeli cabinet to vote on Hezbollah prisoner swap Sunday

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — The Israeli government will vote on Sunday on a possible prisoner exchange with Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said.

"I decided to bring the issue for the government's approval when it meets on Sunday," Olmert said in parliament on Wednesday.

Last week, Lebanese and Israeli officials hinted at an upcoming release of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser -- two soldiers captured in a Hezbollah cross-border raid in July 2006 that sparked a 34-day war in Lebanon.

The proposed prisoner swap has raised controversy in Israel amid concern the two Israelis may be dead.

Regev and Goldwasser are believed to have been wounded during their capture and Hezbollah has provided no proof that they are still alive.

The deal...