The German Federal Intelligence Agency (BND) -- together with Russian intelligence, are trying to use long-standing connections with Hamas and Hezbollah in an attempt to secure the release of the abducted Israeli soldiers, Berlin Zeitung newspaper reported, quoting anonymous officials.

BND chief Ernst Uhrlau is an experienced negotiator with Middle East militants, the report said, and has experience of organizing prisoner swaps between Israel and Hezbollah.

In January 2004, under Uhrlau's coordination, a German Air Force jet flew a kidnapped Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers from Beirut to an airport in Germany. As a swap, another Luftwaffe jet flew more than 30 of 400 prisoners to be released by Israel to Cologne for repatriation in Lebanon and other countries.

Hamas and Hezbollah are now holding three Israeli soldiers. In retaliation, the Israeli army has launched military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon, bombarding both militant groups' targets.