Hezbollah must release soldiers, withdraw to get ceasefire: Israel
Article Tools

Canadian Press

Published: Monday, July 17, 2006

JERUSALEM -- Israel would agree to a ceasefire in its six-day-old offensive against Lebanon if Hezbollah guerrillas agreed to withdraw from border area and release two captured Israeli soldiers, a senior official said Monday.

The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had conveyed Israel's position to Italy's prime minister, who is attempting to broker a ceasefire deal.

Israel had previously demanded the full dismantling of Hezbollah as a condition for ending hostilities.

However, the senior official said Israel would agree to Hezbollah merely leaving the border area - with the Lebanese army taking its place.