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Lebanon: Samir Kuntar returns home(51 images)
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After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli...
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///A helicopter carrying Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners arrives at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Hizballah General Secretary greets the five released prisoners on stage at a celebration event in the suburbs of Beirut. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Hizballah General Secretary greets the five released prisoners on stage at a celebration event in the suburbs of Beirut. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///A helicopter carrying Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners arrives at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. . By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners greet Lebanese political figures at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar speaking at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar speaking at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar speaking at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar speaking at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///A group of Lebanese-Americans attend the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Hizballah supporters hold up a poster of Hassan Nasrallah at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar speaking at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Lebanese President Michel Suleiman delivers a speech welcoming Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Lebanese President Michel Suleiman delivers a speech welcoming Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners greet Lebanese political figures at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. Among the politicians were President Michel Suleiman (left), Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri (center) and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (right). By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners greet Lebanese political figures at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners greet Lebanese political figures at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. Among the politicians were President Michel Suleiman (left), Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri (center) and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (right). By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners greet Lebanese political figures at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. Among the politicians were President Michel Suleiman (left), Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri (center) and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (right). By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar speaking at the celebration in Beirut's southern suburbs. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as a part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, received two black coffins containing the bodies of the soldiers early Wednesday morning. On the other side, Lebanese are celebrating the release of its prisoners as a victory for the resistance. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and meet the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where they will be flown to, and lastly in the Dahiyeh suburbs where a Hizballah organized celebration will take place. ///A poster for Dalal Mughrabi hangs over a Beirut street. Mughrabi, a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon, led an operation when she was 19 years old in Israel in which 36 Israelis were killed. Mughrabi was killed in the operation. Her remains returned to Lebanon today as part of the deal between Hizballah and Israel. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. ///Samir Kuntar and the four other freed prisoners greet Lebanese political figures at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri airport. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as a part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, received two black coffins containing the bodies of the soldiers early Wednesday morning. On the other side, Lebanese are celebrating the release of its prisoners as a victory for the resistance. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and meet the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where they will be flown to, and lastly in the Dahiyeh suburbs where a Hizballah organized celebration will take place. ///Lebanese and Palestinians in Beirut celebrate the release of the five Lebanese prisoners from Israel. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five remaining prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, mourned after received two black coffins on the morning of July 17 containing the bodies of the soldiers. On the other side, Lebanese celebrated the release of its prisoners. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and welcome the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where dozens of Lebanese politicians stood to meet the freed prisoners. Afterwards, the five traveled to Dahiyeh southern suburbs of Beirut where Hizballah organized a large celebration where the group's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made a rare appearance and spoke to the audience of tens of thousands calling the freeing of Kuntar and the four others a "victory" over Israel. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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  • After the Lebanese resistance group captured two Israeli soldiers at the start of the July 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Hizballah said they would release the soldiers only as a part of a deal with Israel who would in turn release the remaining Lebanese prisoners. Among the five prisoners is Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese man who went by boat to Israel in 1979 in an attempt to take Israeli soldiers hostage. Kuntar's mission failed, and in the end he would be convicted of killing an Israeli man and his four-year-old daughter. Through German mediation, Israel and Hizballah negotiated the prisoner trade. Israel, unsure if their two soldiers were alive or dead, received two black coffins containing the bodies of the soldiers early Wednesday morning. On the other side, Lebanese are celebrating the release of its prisoners as a victory for the resistance. Thousands took to the streets to celebrate, and meet the prisoners first at the Lebanon-Israel border, and then at the Beirut airport where they will be flown to, and lastly in the Dahiyeh suburbs where a Hizballah organized celebration will take place. ///Posters for Palestinian and Lebanese killed in fighting with Israel hang over Beirut's streets. Their remains were returned to Lebanon by Israel as part of the deal between Israel and Hizballah. By photographer Matthew Cassel
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