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Last update - 02:55 23/06/2008 Hezbollah deal delayed over demand to include Palestinian prisoners By Amos Harel, Barak Ravid and Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Gilad Shalit, Ehud Olmert  The deal between Hezbollah and Israel for the return of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, two reservists abducted during a cross-border raid on July 12, 2006, which sparked the Second Lebanon War, will be delayed. In meetings held Sunday between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and senior officials in the defense establishment, a number of issues were raised that appear to have delayed Israel's response to the German mediator, Gerhard Konrad. The delay will stall the deal, which until late last week was expected to be finalized in the coming days. Olmert, according to a political source in Jerusalem, is inclined to reject the deal for the prisoner exchange as it is currently framed. Advertisement Olmert's stance on the issue of a deal with Hezbollah had been favorable until several days ago, in spite of the troubling issue of the release of Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese national held since 1979 following the murderous raid in which he participated in the northern town of Nahariya, which left four Israelis dead. One of Olmert's concerns is the reaction of the cabinet to the deal, which it has to approve before it can be carried out. Mossad chief Meir Dagan and Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin both believe that going ahead with the deal in its current form would create a precedent that could put the life of Gilad Shalit, the IDF soldier held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as the lives of any Israeli soldiers captured in the future, at risk. Two months ago Olmert sent to Hezbollah, through the German mediator, Israel's "final" offer on the release of the two soldiers. Israel agreed to release Kuntar, and four Hezbollah men captured during the Second Lebanon War, as well as the remains of some of the fighters of the nradical Shi'ite organization. Israel insisted that the deal would not include the release of any Palestinian prisoners, which had originally been a demand of Hezbollah. However, contrary to what had been previously reported, it appears that Hezbollah has once more revived its demand for the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal. Sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau said last night that the demand for the release of Palestinians is a major stumbling block in the deal. But security sources say that the Palestinian "element" was overplayed by Olmert's aides for reasons that are not clear to them. Similar claims were made by the members of the families of the two abducted soldiers, following a meeting with the Prime Minister late last week, although senior security officials stress that they are not aware of a renewed demand for Palestinian prisoners. What is certain is that the heads of the defense establishment, with the exception of Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, are opposed to the deal as it currently stands. While Ashkenazi understands the reservations of his colleagues, including the head of Military Intelligence, Major General Amos Yadlin, he is of the opinion that the growing interest of Israel is to close the Goldwasser-Regev case. The chief of staff is also concerned that the stalling of the swap may turn into a tragic missed opportunity unless it is finalized soon. Related articles: Hezbollah wants Palestinians included in prisoner swap Most ministers back Hezbollah prisoner swap PMO: Prisoner exchange with Hezbollah not likely next week Mother of missing soldier: Hezbollah will kidnap again if Kuntar not returned Bookmark to del.icio.us   Sarkozy's promise 'France will never compromise Israel's security' Israel's agenda Is an Israeli strike on Iran still on the government's agenda?   1.   If they`re dead, no deal 03:11  |  dyinglikeflies 23/06/08   2.   Hezbollah, the Scum of the Earth 04:18  |  Fish 23/06/08   3.   Olmert acting like a coward? 04:27  |  Tosefta 23/06/08   4.   to#1 unless it is one of your family body part pls be senitive 04:59  |  josh1 23/06/08   5.   How stupid and dangerous 05:32  |  Ezequiel Levy 23/06/08   6.   #2, Tosefta, lover of terrorists 06:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/06/08   7.   generally speaking 07:03  |  rm 23/06/08   8.   The war against Hizbullah does not concern Israel only. 08:12  |  Jean Van Daem 23/06/08   9.   OLMERT JUST LOOKING TO 08:21  |  Robert 23/06/08   10.   Forget about `Prisoner Swaps` with Nasty Arabs 08:25  |  Dagma 23/06/08   11.   #7, rm 08:39  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/06/08   12.   who is calling the shots/ 08:43  |  CHARRO 23/06/08

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