Hezbollah Rally

On July 16, 2008, supporters of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip celebrated the return of five prisoners, including Samir Kuntar, from Israel. Their return was part of an exchange in which Hezbollah returned the remains of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.¹

Fast Facts

1. Main rally held in Beirut, Lebanon¹
2. Lebanese government declared the day a national holiday¹
3. Prisoners transported to the city via helicopter¹
4. Hezbollah has declared the exchange a victory over Israel¹
5. Prisoners given "heroes welcome"¹
6. Banners in Lebanon read "Joy in Lebanon, pain in Israel"²
7. Tens of thousands gathered to celebrate the return³
8. Hezbollah has named the swap "al-Radwan" in honor of Imad Mughnieh²

Tears of pain, tears of joy

In Israel, the exchange was a somber occasion that confirmed long-held fears both Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were dead. Still, many in Israel considered the swap a political success, marking "the day in which the Lebanon war is ending."¹

Israel and Lebanon fought a 33-day war following the abduction of the two soldiers.¹

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