Robert Stethem was murdered by the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah when they hijacked TWA Flight 847 in 1985.

The militants of Hamas are in power in the Palestinian government, and Israel's war with the Lebanese militia Hezbollah last summer has left Mr. Olmert politically weak.

The Iranian supported Shia political party and militia Hezbollah is considered to be the actual perpetrator of the kidnappings.

Iran continues to provide the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah with weapons and money.

The Lebanese militia Hezbollah killed 12 Israelis - 8 civilians and 4 soldiers - on Thursday, making it Israel's deadliest day in more than three weeks of conflict.

The war last summer between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah falls into a similar category.

Iran has strengthened ties with Syria, built the militia Hezbollah into a state within a state in Lebanon and offered support to the radical Palestinian group Hamas.

In November 2004, marines conducting a raid in Anbar Province found a 20-page "kidnapping manual," he said, describing it as having been prepared by the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

Last summer, facing a similar situation with the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, Israel retaliated with weeks of heavy air raids, artillery and thousands of troops.

The conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah has many travelers putting off trips to the region.