The Lebanese Al-Jadeed network claims that in the round of negotiations that opened today (Tuesday) between Israel and Lebanon, the possibility of exchanging Hezbollah prisoners imprisoned in Israel for the body of navigator Ron Arad will be discussed.
At this time there is no official confirmation of the report.
In Israel, they deny it and say: "We are not familiar with it. However, of course new information would be welcome.".
The report was published shortly before the opening of the fifth round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Washington.
According to the channel, the Ron Arad issue is expected to come up as part of the ongoing talks between the parties.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Reggi commented on the talks and said that his country is seeking explicit support from Arab countries to preserve the independence of the Lebanese-Israeli negotiation channel from the American-Iranian track.
He said Lebanon must be an active partner in any regional framework that deals with the future of the Middle East. "Lebanon cannot allow its fate to be decided at tables where no Lebanese are sitting," he said.
At the meeting to be held between the Israeli and Lebanese negotiating teams, the 'pilot areas' in southern Lebanon are also supposed to be outlined.
These areas will be cleansed of Hezbollah, and the Lebanese army will assume responsibility for them to ensure that they are able to prevent the organization from taking control of the area again.
