Rosh Hanikra: Israel moved five Lebanese prisoners to a military base near the Lebanon border before dawn on Wednesday, preparing to trade them for two Israeli soldiers captured by Lebanese guerrillas two years ago.
The day promised to be fraught with tension and tears in Israel, where the servicemen were presumed to be dead. In Lebanon, militant Samir Kantar was expected to receive a
hero's welcome upon his return to a homeland he left 29 years ago.
Israel's Cabinet gave final approval on Tuesday to free Kantar, in exchange for the bodies of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who haven't been seen since Hezbollah guerrillas captured them two years ago in a cross-border raid.
Kantar and Israel's four remaining Hezbollah prisoners from the 2006 won't be handed over to Red Cross representatives at the border until Israeli forensic experts positively identify the soldiers.
The soldiers' families, who had waged a tireless campaign to bring them back to Israel, were waiting at home for word of their loved ones.
"We'll know in two hours what we'll get," Goldwasser's father, Shlomo, said early on Wednesday. Until that time, he told reporters outside his home, the family will "be looking at the clock."
In addition to the prisoners, Israel also has agreed to release the bodies of 199 Lebanese and Palestinian fighters killed in clashes over the years. Red Cross trucks bearing the bodies also began moving toward the border early Wednesday
On Tuesday, Hezbollah's commander in south Lebanon called the swap an "official admission of defeat" for Israel. Red, white and green Lebanese flags, yellow Hezbollah flags and welcome banners hung in south Lebanese villages where the coffins carrying the returned bodies will be driven in a convoy from the border toward the capital, Beirut.
Hezbollah supporters have set up a makeshift stage in the coastal town of Naqoura, where a brief ceremony will be held. An official ceremony will follow at Beirut Airport and will be attended by Lebanon's president, prime minister and parliament speaker.
Later, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is to address what is expected to be a huge celebration at the group's stronghold south of Beirut.
