PM: Israel to Talk with Hezbollah Over Release of Abductees

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel will negotiate with Hezbollah over the release of Israel Defense Forces soldiers Eldad Regev and Udi Goldwasser, abducted on July 12.

Olmert met with the abductees' parents in Jerusalem Sunday.

The UN resolution on cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon calls for the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers, but is not included as a binding section in the resolution.

A senior diplomatic source said Israel has no information on the fate of Regev and Goldwasser, but it is assumed they are still alive. The source said the IDF has launched high-risk operations to obtain information on the abductees, but they were all unsuccessful.

The source said also that Israel did not condition the cease-fire on the release of the soldiers because it would have led to the continuation of the fighting and the loss of more life.