Report: Israel proposed Lebanon a 'civilian prisoner exchange deal'

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that Israel proposed to Lebanon a 'civilian prisoner exchange deal' - transferring remains of Jews from cemeteries in Lebanon in exchange for the release of Lebanese civilians. This was part of the negotiations in Rome last week. The Lebanese delegation returned to Beirut without agreement on a date for the eighth round and without an Israeli commitment to a ceasefire. Israel opposed a European force in southern Lebanon and proposed a Swiss force.

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reported today (Monday) that during the negotiations held in Rome last week, the Israeli delegation presented a division of Lebanese prisoners into two types: Hezbollah militants, whose status cannot be discussed, and Lebanese civilians who posed a danger to the activities of Israeli forces and were therefore arrested. Israel proposed a 'civilian prisoner exchange deal' - transferring remains of Jews from Jewish cemeteries in Lebanon to Israel in exchange for the release of Lebanese civilians. According to the report, the Lebanese delegation returned to Beirut without agreement on a date for the eighth round and without an Israeli commitment to a ceasefire or reduction of military operations. It was also reported that the US informed Lebanon that Israel is not interested in discussing the creation of a second pilot area, and is focusing on direct coordination mechanisms with the Lebanese army and agreement on the identity of the third body that will oversee the first pilot area. Israel opposed the presence of a European force on behalf of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, and refused Italy as the supervisory body, after Spain and France were also rejected. Israeli officials proposed that a Swiss force come for the mission, and noted that there is initial willingness to respond positively.