Dramatic reports about possible remains of missing navigator Ron Arad are sweeping Israel - while still leaving much confusion in their wake. It was reported today that a number of weeks ago, Hizbullah sent one or several bone fragments to Israel, apparently belonging to Arad. After careful checking, however, Israeli experts reached the conclusion that "most of them" do not belong to Ron Arad. It is possible that the tests have not been completed yet.
Arad's Phantom jet was shot down in Lebanon in October 1986; the pilot was flown to safety under fire, holding on to the bottom of an Israeli helicopter in a spectacular rescue operation. Arad, however, parachuted down and was immediately captured by members of the Amal militia. He was transported to Beirut and held by an extreme Shiite organization, and was later sold to Iranian-backed forces.
Israel reportedly feels that Hizbullah sent the wrong remnants as an "honest mistake." Israel is further encouraged about Iran's active, if hidden, role in the process. It has long been believed that Arad has been held in Iran.
The prisoner/hostage deal that most people thought was completed last week actually has two more parts. In the first of the two, Hizbullah is to provide Israel with definite information about Ron Arad, in exchange for the release of Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar, the murderer of the Haran family in 1979. In the last part of the deal, Israel and Hizbullah are to enter into negotiations for the return of Ron Arad, dead or alive. Israel is also expected to provide information on four Iranian diplomats who were apparently killed in Lebanon 20 years ago; Israel says it has no further information on them.
Arad's Phantom jet was shot down in Lebanon in October 1986; the pilot was flown to safety under fire, holding on to the bottom of an Israeli helicopter in a spectacular rescue operation. Arad, however, parachuted down and was immediately captured by members of the Amal militia. He was transported to Beirut and held by an extreme Shiite organization, and was later sold to Iranian-backed forces.
Israel reportedly feels that Hizbullah sent the wrong remnants as an "honest mistake." Israel is further encouraged about Iran's active, if hidden, role in the process. It has long been believed that Arad has been held in Iran.
The prisoner/hostage deal that most people thought was completed last week actually has two more parts. In the first of the two, Hizbullah is to provide Israel with definite information about Ron Arad, in exchange for the release of Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar, the murderer of the Haran family in 1979. In the last part of the deal, Israel and Hizbullah are to enter into negotiations for the return of Ron Arad, dead or alive. Israel is also expected to provide information on four Iranian diplomats who were apparently killed in Lebanon 20 years ago; Israel says it has no further information on them.