Israel and Lebanon discussed what was referred to as a “civilian prisoner exchange deal” during recent negotiations, with Israeli officials raising the possibility of transferring the remains of Jews buried in Lebanese cemeteries to Israel, Hezbollah-linked Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Monday.
According to the report, the issue arose during discussions over Lebanese prisoners and detainees held by Israel, and was specifically in relation to people classified by Israel as civilians whose affiliation with Hezbollah was not known, but nevertheless posed a threat to IDF troops and were therefore detained.
The Israeli representatives specifically referred to what Al-Akhbar described as a significant number of remains buried in Jewish cemeteries in Beirut and Sidon.
This is a developing story.
