Israel exhumes bodies of Hezbollah fighters before swap

Israel and Hezbollah have signed a UN-mediated prisoner exchange deal. The date for the swap will be settled this week. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have begun exhuming the bodies of Lebanese fighters which are part of the deal.

Among the five Lebanese prisoners Israel will hand over is Samir Kantar. He is serving multiple life terms for a 1979 attack in Israel's north. Four Hezbollah prisoners will also be released.

In return, Israel is to receive two soldiers captured by Hezbollah in a 2006 cross-border raid that set off a fierce 34-day war.

Israel will also hand over the bodies of around 200 Arabs killed while infiltrating northern Israel and receive body parts of Israeli soldiers killed in south Lebanon in 2006.

The Israeli military confirmed that the process of exhuming bodies had begun.

Reporters were not allowed to witness the process but video taken before a soldier intervened shows about a dozen workers in white protective suits digging in the cemetery.

Israeli military officials say the exchange will probably take place between the 13th and 16th of July.