Hezbollah tells Israel missing airman is dead: report

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — The Lebanese Hezbollah militia has told Israel through the United Nations that aviator Ron Arad, who has been listed as missing in Lebanon since 1986, is dead, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Israeli authorities had said a prisoner swap deal with Hezbollah would only go ahead once they receive information on Arad's fate.

UN hostage negotiator Gerhard Konrad delivered the message from the Shiite militia saying that Arad is dead, Haaretz said.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said he was unable to confirm the report.

Arad, an air force navigator, has been listed as missing since he flew a mission over south Lebanon in 1986 during the country's civil war. He was captured by another Shiite movement, Amal, headed by Nabih Berri...