Captive IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser are expected to return home to Israel on Wednesday morning at 9;00AM at the Rosh HaNikra Crossing to southern Lebanon. Representatives of the International Red Cross will actually transfer them the last distance into Israel.

While it is presumed the two are dead, until the actual event, there is still some hope that at least one of the soldiers is alive, based on statements released by Hizbullah-aligned media in recent days.

After the two are returned, military officials will first deal with making a positive identification. Only after this has been accomplished will Israel permit the return of terrorists and bodies to southern Lebanon. If the soldiers are dead, the identification process is expected to take a number of hours. If they are dead, military funerals are expected to be held on Thursday.

After the identification process is completed, Major-General Gadi Shamni and Major-General Elazar Stern will visit the Regev and Goldwasser homes, informing them of the fate of their sons.

During the predawn hours on Wednesday, Samir Kuntar and four other Lebanese terrorists were transferred to Rosh HaNikra. In addition, 23 Red Cross trucks carrying 199 bodies of terrorists made their way to the crossing point area as well.

IDF troops remain on alert status in the northern Liman Camp in the event of any surprises. The force is ready to respond to any eventuality.

In preparation for the event, the IDF late Tuesday night declared the crossing area a closed military zone.

Among those present at the border crossing station are representatives of the IDF Chief Rabbinate, military police from the criminal investigations unit, senior commanders, and other officials playing a role in the complex prisoner exchange operation.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)