Arabic Video News in English

Israel has agreed to release 20 Palestinian women in exchange for a recently recorded videotaep of a captured soldier.

The prisoner release and the handing-over of the videotape are set for Friday, acocrding to reports.

Gilad Shalit has been held since 2006 when he was taken during a raid by Palestinian fighters on an Israeli army position close to the Gaza border.

Israel holds about 10,000 Palestinians, including dozens of women.

Sherine Tadros reports from Gaza.

The eyes of the Arab world and beyond are focused on debate at the UN Human Rights Council and whether it will agree that alleged war crimes in Gaza warrant criminal action.

Richard Goldstone, a South African judge, led an investigation into the war on Gaza, which left more than 1,400 Palestinians dead, adn his report said that there was clear evidence that crimes had been committed by both sidse.

Israel has dismissed the findings as politically motivated, but many commentators have warned that the credibility of the UN body rests on its willingness to act.

Palestinians, howevre, simply hope that any measures taken by the council will prove to be the first step towards getting justice for the Gazans who suffered during the conflict.

Sherine Tadros rpeorts from Gaza City.

With no president and political turmoil for more than a year, many Lebanese are trying to forget thier political problems during the holiday period.Sherine Tadros reports from Faraya, in the heart of Mount Lebanon.

In Lebanon, politicians are preparing to meet in parliament for the first time in almost a year to try to elect a new president.

Backgroundde by a series of political assassinations, Lebanese people are hoping the election will precede a new era of peace and unity – but fears of a new civil war remain.

Sherine Tadros reports.