Behind the scenes, are Israeli ministers trying to find a negotiated solution to the situation in Lebanon? Via Garance Franke-Ruta, it sure sounds that way from this story:
There are already Israeli government ministers discussing the need for some sort of prisoner exchange, despite Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s declared steadfast opposition to such a move. Peretz, The Jerusalem Post has learned, believes Israel should be willing to release prisoners in what he has called a “gesture” to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, if Shalit, Goldwasser and Regev are released. …
“A military operation will not solve the Hizbullah problem,” a high-ranking Northern Command officer said. “The international community needs to get involved and place pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hizbullah. That is the only way out.”
That’s encouraging to hear.
