Lebanese hostage crisis ends with German mediation: Germany welcomes the release and calls for restraint

Israel and Hezbollah militants release prisoners after Germany, Qatar and the United Nations broker a deal.

The Lebanese hostage crisis has ended after Germany, Qatar and the United Nations brokered a deal between Israel and Hezbollah militants.

The deal saw the release of five Lebanese prisoners held by Israel, in exchange for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in a 2006 border clash.

The Lebanese prisoners were Samir Kuntar, who was serving a life sentence for killing an Israeli family in 1979, and four others who were serving shorter sentences for involvement in attacks on Israel.

The bodies of the two Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, were handed over to Israel by Hezbollah.

The deal was brokered by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who traveled to the region to meet with Israeli and Lebanese officials.

Steinmeier said that the deal was a "positive step" and called for restraint on both sides.

"We hope that this can be a first step towards a more peaceful future in the region," he said.

The release of the Lebanese prisoners was welcomed by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who said that it was a "victory" for the Lebanese people.

"This is a great day for Lebanon," he said. "We have achieved a victory for our people and for our country."

The Israeli government also welcomed the deal, but said that it would continue to hold Hezbollah responsible for the deaths of the two Israeli soldiers.

"We will not rest until we bring the murderers of our soldiers to justice," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The deal is seen as a significant breakthrough in the long-running conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

It is hoped that the deal will help to reduce tensions in the region and lead to a more peaceful future.