Israel frees two prisoners following return of soldier's remains from Syria

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Two prisoners were released from an Israeli prison on Friday (January 10) , including one jailed for spying for Syria.

Israel called the move a goodwill gesture after the Russian-assisted repatriation of the body of an Israeli soldier who died in the '80s.

Last April, Russia -- a key ally of Syria -- handed Israel the remains and personal effects of Zachary Baumel.

He was declared missing in action along with two other Israeli soldiers following a 1982 tank battle with Syrian forces in Lebanon.

The two men released are thought to be from a Druze village in the Golan Heights territory that Israel captured from Syria in the1967 Middle East war.

The region was later annexed in a move not recognized internationally.

One prisoner was jailed for treason and espionage and the other for the killing of a Syrian civilian.


The move follows Israel's release in April of two Syrian prisoners, which it also called a goodwill gesture for the return of Baumel's body.