The Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustakbal reports that Hassan Nasrallah, chief terrorist of the Hizbullah, has informed German mediators that he does not accept Israel's latest position regarding the hostages-for-terrorists deal. Israel's Cabinet voted last week to release 400 terrorists, in exchange for one Israeli civilian (Elchanan Tenenbaum) and the bodies of three soldiers killed by Hizbullah - but Hizbullah feels that the offer is unfair. The Lebanese terrorist group demands that Israel also release Samir Kuntar, who took part in a murderous attack in 1979 in which three members of the Haran family, and a policeman, were killed.



Infrastructures Minister Yosef Paritzky (Shinui) said that this was "not bad in terms of a negotiating trick," but that he believes that it will be hard for Nasrallah to continue to refuse Israel's current offer. Sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau said that the talks would continue, and that "all negotiations of this nature have ups and downs." In fact, Nasrallah released an "updated" announcement later today, saying that talks with the German mediators had resumed.



Deputy Trade Minister Michael Ratzon (Likud), a high-ranking IDF officer in the reserves, said that he advises Nasrallah to "take shelter" if the deal does not go through. Ratzon has called in the past for Nasrallah to be targeted by the IDF.