ROSH HANIKRA (Israel), June 1: A ‘Hezbollah spy’ returned from Israel to a hero’s welcome in Lebanon on Sunday, and 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, on Sunday morning 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 carrying Nisr, as a blue gate swung open to allow him through the border.

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 month-long Lebanon war in 2006. Nisr stood beside Safa as he spoke.

According to an Israeli security official, Hezbollah said the return of the remains was a “gesture” that had not been 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 occupied 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, which were then to be transferred to a forensic institute, the army said.

The army said it had appointed a panel to contact the families of the soldiers whose remains were thought to be in the box. Hezbollah is believed to be holding the remains of 10 soldiers already confirmed killed in fighting, according to the Israeli media.

Sunday’s exchange added to speculation that a major swap is in the works. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah predicted last month that Israel would release prisoners it is holding “very soon”.—AP