Thousands welcome freed Lebanese prisoners

? Lebanese prisoners released by Israel returned home Thursday to a hero’s welcome by thousands of flag-waving people, from Hezbollah guerrilla comrades to veiled women who showered them in rice and rose petals.

Israel also freed about 400 Palestinians to the West Bank and Gaza Strip as part of the German-brokered agreement with Hezbollah.

Delighted relatives greeted the Palestinians and expressed thanks to the Lebanese militant group.

In return, Israel received the bodies of three of its soldiers and won the release of a kidnapped Israeli businessman.

Israelis had a memorial service for the three dead, but whisked away Elhanan Tannenbaum, who was kidnapped while reportedly engaged in a shady business deal, for interrogation.