'A-Sharq al-Awsat': Israel agrees to withdraw from Shaba Farms

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Israel has agreed to withdraw from the Shaba Farms, A-Sharq al-Awsat reported Tuesday, adding that Syria was exerting great efforts in negotiations between Israel and Hizbullah on a prisoner swap deal. According to Israeli officials quoted by the London-based newspaper, as a result of the Syrian efforts, there would soon be a prisoner exchange deal. The officials were also quoted as saying that Syria's involvement in the Israel-Hizbullah talks "will lead to the opening of new horizons on the Shaba Farms issue." The officials reportedly claimed that Israel had agreed to withdraw from the farms "up to the last centimeter," on condition that Hizbullah agrees to a cessation of violence against Israel that the Lebanese "case" is closed.