The Israeli cabinet approved a prisoner exchange deal with the Lebanese resistance movement Hizbullah that will likely result in the return of captive Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, who are believed to be dead.

Twenty-two out of 25 ministers voted in favor of the deal at the urging of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim, and Finance Minister Ronny Bar-On voted against the proposal.

"At the end of a long process, I have reached the conclusion that as the Israeli prime minister I must recommend that you approve the proposal which will bring this painful affair to an end – even at the painful price it requires us to pay," Olmert reportedly said during the cabinet meeting.

Until the meeting, it was not clear which way Olmert would vote on the deal.

Olmert also confirmed reports that both Regev and Golwasser are now dead, and were probably killed during capture or died shortly after. It was the first time the prime minister made such a pronouncement.

Hizbullah abducted the two during a raid in Israeli territory on 12 July 2006. The attack sparked the 34-day war with Israel.

Olmert said during the discussion that as far as Israel knows, the kidnapped soldiers are no longer alive, and are believed to have been killed during the abduction or died of their wounds shortly afterwards.

According to the deal, Israel will likely release Samir Al-Quntar, who has been imprisoned since an attack on Israel in 1979.