A Hizbullah
report on Ron Arad
that was transferred to Israel
on Saturday as part of a prisoner swap deal once more caused a rise in demand to clarify once and for all the fate of the missing navigator, who was captured in Lebanon 22 years ago.
New photos and a journal written by Arad were handed over
to his family, intensifying their cry for an uncompromising investigation that will finally reveal the truth.
| Hizbullah Reports |
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| Hizbullah report says Ron Arad apparently dead / Roni Sofer |
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Prime minister, heads of intelligence services receive over weekend document summarizing Lebanese group's efforts to obtain information on missing Israeli navigator. Intelligence chiefs to discuss report Sunday, present their conclusions to government |
| Full story |
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The Arad family recently received two new photos of Ron, which were not previously seen in Israel, and a journal written by the captured navigator in which he wrote to his wife and daughter.
During a security briefing Sunday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak
said that "the report on Ron Arad as it was transferred from Hizbullah does not provide a clear answer about his fate, and does not resolve the issue."
He also referred to the deal with the organization, expected to be approved by the government soon, and said, "We are committed to continue to act towards discovering his fate – and despite this, as defense minister, chief of staff, and former commander, I have a moral obligation to continue to promote the return home of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser."
New photo given to Arad family
The report has been handed over to security forces, which plan to present their findings to the government before they approve the swap deal returning the kidnapped soldiers home.
The new photos that were revealed caused Ron Arad's friends to wax nostalgic. "This is the Ron I remember from the time we parted 22 years ago," said Ronen Merav, Arad's friend from pilot training.
"My heart aches when I look at these photos. It's too bad that finally this is all that's left, with all the promises and deals."
He added that they would continue the battle for Arad. "We won't stop here. There have been sayings and reports on the money that Ron has cost Israel – sayings that are simply shameful, and this is precisely what makes it our job to keep the issue alive," he said.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report
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