Wednesday's swap of prisoners between Israel and Hezbollah planned was mediated over an 18-month period by a German secret agent. German involvement had been reported all along in the Middle East, but was not confirmed by Berlin until Tuesday, July 15. Quoting an internal document compiled by Chancellor Angela Merkel's office, the sources said the "facilitator" was a staffer with the BND, the German foreign intelligence agency, who was authorized by the United Nations to manage the secret contacts. Over the 18 months, he flew a total of 700,000 kilometers (435,000 miles), shuttling between UN headquarters in New York, Tel Aviv, Beirut and various European capitals.
German involvement had been reported all along in the Middle East, but was not confirmed by Berlin until Tuesday, July 15.
Quoting an internal document compiled by Chancellor Angela Merkel's office, the sources said the "facilitator" was a staffer with the BND, the German foreign intelligence agency, who was authorized by the United Nations to manage the secret contacts.
Over the 18 months, he flew a total of 700,000 kilometers (435,000 miles), shuttling between UN headquarters in New York, Tel Aviv, Beirut and various European capitals.
Israel has confirmed that human remains handed over by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as part of a prisoner swap are those of two of its soldiers. Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were seized in 2006 but until now there had been no confirmation of their deaths. Their capture sparked a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has handed over five Lebanese prisoners, including a man convicted of killing a child, and the bodies of 200 Lebanese and Palestinian fighters.
Israel has confirmed that human remains handed over by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as part of a prisoner swap are those of two of its soldiers.
Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were seized in 2006 but until now there had been no confirmation of their deaths.
Their capture sparked a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel has handed over five Lebanese prisoners, including a man convicted of killing a child, and the bodies of 200 Lebanese and Palestinian fighters.
