The remains of an Israeli soldier arrived at Ben Gurion airport yesterday in the first stage of an exchange of prisoners and slain fighters between Israel and Lebanon after nine months of negotiations.
Under the terms of the deal, the remains of the Israeli commando, Sgt Itamar Ilya, killed in Lebanon in a botched raid in September, were returned in exchange for 40 bodies of slain Lebanese guerrillas and the release of 60 Lebanese prisoners.
A French military plane carrying Sgt Ilya's remains arrived at the airport from Beirut and army religious officials were on hand to open up the coffin and check that the body was indeed that of the soldier.
The aircraft is due to return with 40 bodies of Lebanese guerrillas buried in Israel, following approval of the agreement by the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr Yitzhak Mordechai, in co-ordination with the Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, and with the knowledge of the cabinet.
"Thereafter as a special humanitarian gesture, Israel will release 10 Lebanese prisoners and the South Lebanon Army will release 50 detainees being held in the Al-Khiyam prison," a defence ministry spokesman said.
"They are members of hostile organisations who rendered assistance in attacks against the state of Israel and the South Lebanon Army [Israel's militia ally in the south Lebanon border strip it occupies]," he said.
The deal between the two governments was brokered by the International Committee for the Red Cross and the French government, Israel said.
Throughout the negotiations Israel refused to free two Islamist leaders, Mr Mustapha Dirani and Sheikh Abdel Karim Obeid, kidnapped by Israel from Lebanon in May 1994 and July 1989. Analysts say Israel is determined to keep the two leaders as bargaining chips for the release of the Israeli airman, Mr Ron Arad, missing since his aircraft was shot down over Lebanon in 1986.