July 14 th , 2008

1. July 14th, 2008 -unclassified-

2. Ehud Goldwasser Eldad Regev Background – The Kidnapping On Wednesday morning, July 12th, 2006, two IDF Humvees patrolling the Lebanese border were attacked near Zar’it. At 09:05, under cover of heavy barrages, anti-tank missiles were shot at the vehicles. The rear vehicle was hit by two missiles, killing the three soldiers inside. After sustaining missile hits, the injured driver of the leading Humvee climbed out, taking with him another injured soldier. The two other reserve soldiers in the vehicle, SFGEhud Goldwasser and SSgt.Eldad Regev, were kidnapped by Hezbollah terrorists and taken into Lebanese territory. Their condition at the time of the abduction is unknown. Immediate attempts to locate the abducted soldiers led to four killed IDF soldiers, sparking the chain of events which led to the Second Lebanese War. -unclassified-

3. Israeli Measures Taken The Israeli government and the IDF continued all efforts to assist the families. On June 23rd, the IDF Chief Rabbi began a process to determine the status of the kidnapped soldiers, relying on information from the Intelligence Branch and other government agencies. Israeli places a great deal of importance on returning all soldiers sent out on operation missions, whether they are alive or deceased. As such, extensive efforts have been made in order to secure their return. Negotiations for their release have taken place through a German mediator, Gerhard Konrad, and a representative on behalf of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Ofer Dekel. As the first part of the resulting agreement, information regarding the fate of the captured Israeli navigator, Major Ron Arad, was given to Israel. Over the past few days, two never-seen-before pictures, three letters and parts of a journal were given to Israeli sources. The government convened today (15/7/08) in order to determine whether the information conveyed was fulfilled the agreed terms. ONE OF THE TWO NEW PICTURES OF ARAD -unclassified-

4. Prisoner Swap Extensive ongoing negotiations for the release of the soldiers led to governmental approval of an agreement outline for the soldier’s release. The primary clauses of the agreement were that: • Regev and Goldwasser will be returned, a report including additional information about Ron Arad will be given to the Israeli government and remains of soldiers from the Second Lebanese War will be returned to Israel. • In exchange, the State of Israel will: • Release Samir Kuntar and four illegal Lebanese prisoners. • Deliver the bodies of dozens of infiltrators and terrorists to Lebanon • Provide information on four missing Iranian diplomats to the UN Secretary-General • Release a number of Palestinian prisoners, with the number and identity to be at the sole discretion of Israel -unclassified-

5. SAMIR KUNTAR MEMBERS OF THE HARAN FAMILY KILLED BY KUNTAR Prisoner Swap - Details The approved agreement calls for the Israeli release of 5 illegal Lebanese fighters currently held by Israel. This list includes: • Samir Kuntar – Kuntar was arrested in June 1979 and sentenced to 5 consecutive life sentences and an additional 47 years for a terrorist attack in which a policeman, a 28 year-old man and his 4 year-old daughter were killed. During the attack, the man’s 2 year-old daughter was also killed, when her mother accidentally smothered her while trying to keep her quiet. • Mahar Korni, Mahmad Sarur and Hussein Salimann – All three were arrested on August 16th, 2006, following their participation in anti-IDF operations. They were then charged with possession of weapons and causing death. • Hader Zidane – Zidane was arrested on August 16th 2008 and found guilty of being an illegal fighter. -unclassified-

6. Focal Points • The efforts to free the abducted soldiers, SFG Ehud Goldwasser and SSgt. Eldad Regev reflects Israel and the IDF’s deep ethical commitment to bring any soldiers sent on operational missions home, whether alive or deceased. • The task of bringing home missing or captured soldiers remains an Israeli priority, as manifested in attempts to acquire credible information regarding the fate of the captured IAF navigator, Major Ron Arad, as well as to secure the release of SSgt. Gilad Shalit. As part of these ongoing efforts, the Minister of Defense recently appointed members of a committee to determine principles in negotiations for the release of captured soldiers. • Samir Kuntar, who will be released as part of the deal, was convicted by a court of law for four murders, three of them members of the same family. The distorted tendency to see murderers and killers as heroes underlines the dangers the radical approach poses to universal values of human dignity and life. • Israel’s harsh response to the abduction and the war caused excessive damage to the Hezbollah and its personnel. The organization’s weapon capabilities and headquarters both took heavy hits. In addition, thousands of Hezbollah fighters were killed. -unclassified-

7. Focal Points (cont.) • Terrorist organizations supported by Iran, particularly the Hamas and the Hezbollah, are directly responsible for civilian suffering on both sides of the conflict. These organizations and states, which are affiliated with the radical faction led by Iran, are an obstacle in the path of achieving arrangements or regional stability. • Israel expects the international community and the UN to act determinedly against terrorist factions and other radical elements in the region. In addition, Israel expects support in its efforts to protect its civilians and fight terrorist factions, all the while continuing negotiation attempts to resolve the situation. -unclassified-