Barring unexpected changes, said Nezia Hamza, convicted Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar will receive a hero's welcome in Aabey as early as this coming Sunday.
The chairman of the village where Kuntar was born went on to detail the planned festivities in an interview due to run on Friday in the Nazareth-based al-Sinara newspaper.
"The main celebrations for Kuntar's release will first be held in Dahiya – the Hizbullah stronghold in Beirut – which Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah will also attend. Afterwards," said Hamza, "he will come to his hometown, where masses will be awaiting him."
Meanwhile Kuntar's brother, Bassam, and his attorney, Yaman Zidan, said their information indicates that the details of the exchange have already been agreed upon and all that remains is to implement the deal.
"I cannot make any statements to the media at the moment, only on Sunday," the terrorist's brother told
al-Sinara. When asked about his mother's state of mind, Bassam said that "like any mother would, she is awaiting the return of the apple of her eye after a period of 30 years."
Lebanese reporters confirmed to the Israeli paper that preparations for the celebrations have already been completed.
And in Israel? State officials told Ynet earlier on Thursday that while the exchange would not be taking place in the coming days – it does indeed seem closer than ever before.
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