i must admit, i don't understand why israel would trade live prisoners for dead bodies. i realize that hezbollah didn't reveal that they were dead until they showed up at the border with the coffins, but couldn't the israeli government demand proof that the soldiers were alive as part of the negotiations? or make the whole deal contingent on the soldiers being alive?
in any case, the deal is just another reminder that israel's decision to attack lebanon in 2006 was just a tragic waste of life. right from the start, it was obvious that the attack couldn't possibly accomplish its goals while costing the lives of hundreds of people. meanwhile, israel probably could have had the same deal it got yesterday in july 2006. the only difference is that mr. goldwasser and regev may have still been alive back then.
