(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
The IDF is prepared to carry out the decision of the Government of the State of Israel to return Sergeant First Class (res.) Eldad Regev and Staff Sergeant (res.) Ehud Goldwasser, who were violently abducted by Hizbullah on July 12, 2006.
This painful process exemplifies Israel's moral commitment to secure the return of all of their soldiers sent on operational missions. Such a move demonstrates a compelling moral strength which stems from Judaism, Israeli social values and from the spirit of the IDF.
The exchange is expected to begin tomorrow, July 16, 2008, at the Rosh Hanikra crossing in the western Galilee, which as of tonight will be declared a closed military zone.
Accordingly, the State of Israel will hand over to Lebanon the five terrorists of Lebanese citizenship who are imprisoned in Israel, and the remains of 199 enemy combatants.
The IDF is and will remain in constant contact with the families of the abducted soldiers. The IDF Spokesperson states that efforts to locate and return all abducted and missing IDF soldiers will continue.