July 20, 2008: "Hezbollah chief welcomes prisoners, Israel mourns"

Hezbollah chief welcomes prisoners, Israel mourns

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a rare public appearance, welcomed five Lebanese freed from captivity in Israel on Wednesday after his guerrilla group returned the bodies of two captured Israeli soldiers.

This is just one stage of a very complex operation to return the bodies of many men who were killed over the last hundred years in a series of wars. The reason why this is such a big story is because in this transaction a man named Samir Qantar was released from being prisoner of Israel. He was sentenced to life for multiple murders including the murder of a four (4) year old girl. In return Israel received the bodies of two soldiers of its soldiers.
This story is tragic and very controversial. Israel was put in a tough spot because they need the bodies of the two soldiers so that they can be buried in their home country. But the cost of a murderer is a high cost. Although somethings must be done. The family of the people who Qantar has killed probably are infuriated by this transaction. There is no easy answer to this problem but I agree with Israel's decision. Everyone must do their best to try and move on from this series of tragedies. It may not be right to release this man but it may have been a price worth paying. My prayers are with Israel.

When bargaining most people will use scales, to make sure both sides get the fair amount. But human lives cannot be placed on a scale.

Thank you Alistair Lyon and Yahoo News.