Israel approves Hezbollah prisoner swap

JERUSALEM, June 29 (UPI) -- The Israeli government Sunday approved a prisoner swap with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, facilitating the return of two captured soldiers.

The deal for the return of Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, which was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, was approved by a majority of 22 Cabinet ministers, Ynetnews reported.

Olmert said during the discussion with Cabinet ministers that as far as Israel knows, the kidnapped soldiers are no longer alive and could have been killed during their abductions or died of their wounds shortly afterward. The prime minister also said the abductions were likely at attempt by Hezbollah to engineer the release of Samir Kuntar, a Palestinian militant accused of killing an Israeli family in a 1979 terrorist attack.

The Israeli news Web site reported the Cabinet meeting was attended by Mossad Director Meir Dagan and Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin, who reportedly were told by defense sources during the meeting that approving the deal may prompt additional kidnappings,