Swap today; Hezbollah TV shows Tennenbaum

[Gimel]

Three years of negotiations with Hezbollah will reach a climax around noon today if there are no last minute hitches in the prisoner swap deal.

By tonight, the families of soldiers Benny Avraham, Adi Avitan, and Omar Suweid, and of businessman Elhanan Tennenbaum, will be reunited with their missing relatives.

Some 430 Arab prisoners, most of them Palestinians, will be freed from Israeli jails, and the bodies of 59 Lebanese sent home for burial.

Late last night, Hezbollah TV ran an interview with Elhanan Tennenbaum, who appeared to be in good condition. This morning will he meet with Israeli army doctors who will examine him in Germany.


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[Gimel]

1. The Hezbollah TV

Tannenbaum appears in good condition, says he was well treated, did not see Hezbollah people during detention. Speaks normally in Hebrew with Arabic subtitles on Al Manor TV. He said he has a different impression of Hezbollah than of the Hezbollah that existed a few years back. He went to Lebanon to find information on Ron Arad (the missing Israeli airman) and to try and make a little money also. He was kidnapped by Hezbollah in Lebanon.


He is due to arrive in Israel at this time, and is en route from Germany.