Military jets carrying prisoners to be swapped in a long-awaited deal between arch enemies Israel and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah touched down before dawn today under tight security at a military airport in Cologne.

ISRAEL’S Cabinet yesterday narrowly approved a contested prisoner swap with Hezbollah, even though it does not include a Israel’s most famous missing serviceman, an air force navigator captured 17 years ago.

Israel’s Cabinet today narrowly approved a contested prisoner swap with Hezbollah, even though it does not include a Israel’s most famous missing serviceman, an air force navigator captured 17 years ago.

REBUFFING the incoming Palestinian Prime Minister, the leader of Hamas said yesterday the militant group will not disarm, agree to a truce or join the new Palestinian government.

A large-scale swap of prisoners with Lebanese guerrillas is closer than ever, Israeli premier Ariel Sharon said today.