Source: Aljazeera, 12-7-2006
Hizbullah announced the capture of the Israeli troops on its television channel, al-Manar, saying that they want to exchange them with all Arab prisoners in Israeli prisons.
"Fulfilling its pledge to liberate the (Arab) prisoners and detainees, the Islamic Resistance ... captured two Israeli soldiers at the border with occupied Palestine," Hizbullah said in a statement, adding that the "two captives were transferred to a safe place."
The chief news editor of Hizbullah TV, Ibrahim Moussawi, told the BBC that the resistance movement would do everything it can to make the prisoners' swap. "[That is] because "Israelis" still occupy parts of Lebanon, and still hold hostages in their prisons. Some of them have been there more than 25 years."
Meanwhile, local media reported that "Israeli" ground troops entered southern Lebanon to search for the two captured soldiers.
The "Israeli" government said that it's holding the Lebanese government responsible for the fate of the two soldiers. And "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called a special cabinet session right after Hizbullah`s announcement of the soldiers' capture.
"These are difficult days for "Israel" and its citizens (settlers)," Olmert told reporters.
Hizbullah seized three "Israeli" troops in 2000, who died during the operation but their bodies were later exchanged for prisoners.