Hamas also congratulated the release of the Lebanese prisoners. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the swap represents "a great victory of the resistance" and that Hamas would not abandon the Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel.

"This is also a proof that kidnapping Zionist soldiers is the best way to free the prisoners since the occupation keeps arresting them," Abu Zuhri added.

On Tuesday, Israeli National Security Council issued the most severe warning this year that terror cells in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula were planning kidnapping attempts against Israeli citizens, and urged Israelis traveling in the area to leave immediately.

Meanwhile, Israeli army have beefed up security measures along the border with Lebanon, amid worries that Hezbollah might launch attacks against Israel after the prisoners swap.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2008)