A convicted Hezbollah spy returned from Israel to a hero's welcome in Lebanon on Sunday, while Hezbollah turned over the remains of what it said were dead Israeli soldiers in what could be the first stage of a larger prisoner exchange between the bitter enemies. Israeli authorities released Nasim Nisr, an Israeli of Lebanese descent, early Sunday after he completed a six-year sentence for espionage, driving him from a prison in central Israel to the northern Rosh Hanikra crossing. Cameramen surrounded the white van Nisr was sitting in as a blue gate swung open to allow him through the frontier. Hezbollah official Wafik Safa told the group's Al-Manar TV station that it handed over a brown box containing what it said were the remains of Israeli soldiers killed in the monthlong Lebanon war in 2006. Nisr stood beside Safa as he spoke. An Israeli security official said Hezbollah had agreed to turn over the remains as a “gesture” and the move was not coordinated with Israel. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity surrounding the ongoing negotiations. Helge Kvam, a Red Cross spokesman in Jerusalem, called Hezbollah's move a “complete surprise.” The box was handed over to Israel's army. Military doctors and rabbis were to examine the remains to confirm they belong to slain Israeli soldiers. Israeli media have said Hezbollah was believed to be holding remains from 10 dead soldiers. Sunday's exchange added to speculation that a major swap is in the works. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah predicted last month that Israel will release prisoners it is holding “very soon.”
