At Israel’s request, the International Red Cross is to examine the bodies of two men held by the Shi’ite Amal militia in Lebanon that the group claims are those of Israeli soldiers long missing in action.
Amal leader Nabi Berri offered to return the bodies some two years ago, but the Israel Defense Force doubted the truth of the Amal claim. The offer fell through since Israel was not prepared to release Amal prisoners in exchange, without adequate evidence.
Two months ago, after several Shi’ite prisoners held by Israel and its allied South Lebanon Army were released, Berri announced he would permit Red Cross inspection of the bodies if 14 women prisoners were freed from the SLA’s El-Khiam prison.
The demand was first rejected by Israel, but following further negotiations, five Shi’ite women were released last week from El-Khiam.
Amal issued a statement in Beirut on Monday saying that representatives of the International Red Cross would be permitted to examine the bodies in preparation for further talks on returning the bodies to Israel, if they are found to be those of the missing Israelis.
If the bodies are returned, further prisoners will be released from Israeli or SLA prisons.
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