Eyal Regev: Fear for captive soldiers' increased after Mugniyah killing
Brother of kidnapped soldier says family worried they may find themselves in situation similar to family of missing navigator Ron Arad but adds recent assassination of Hizbullah commander may advance talks for captives' release
Eyal Regev said his family's concerns for the well-being of his brother Eldad and fellow IDF reserve soldier Ehud Goldwasser, who were kidnapped by Hizbullah terrorists in a cross-border raid on July 12th 2006, have increased following the assassination of Imad Mugniyah.
"We're worried that we may enter a situation similar to the one Ron Arad's family found itself in," he told a cultural forum held at Moshav Beit Yitzhak, "on the other hand, the assassination could advance negotiations between the sides (on the captives' return to Israel).
Mugniyah, a senior Hizbullah commander and a terror mastermind, was killed in a blast in Damascus on February 12th. The militant Shiite organization said he was assassinated by Israeli agents.
"As time goes on our fears grow stronger," Regev said, adding that the family was trying to remain in close contact with the government so as "not to miss an opportunity" for an exchange deal should one come about.
"We hope and believe (the kidnapped soldiers) will return home," he told the forum.
According to Regev, Israel should have launched negotiations for the soldiers' return immediately after the Second Lebanon War ended. "Israel was in a position of power just before the war ended and could have demanded that Udi (Ehud) and Eldad be handed over to the Red Cross or the Lebanese government. This would have made it easier to bring them home. It was possible, but it wasn't done."
Asked whether he was pleased with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's efforts to release the kidnapped soldiers, Regev said "As long as Eldad remains in captivity, I cannot say that I'm pleased. There are no magic solutions here. But I also realize that the PM is only person who can save my brother, and this is why I have to trust him."
