Israel says it releases 2 Syrian prisoners

JERUSALEM

Israel on Friday said it released two Syrian prisoners from occupied Golan heights, local media reported.

According to the reports, Sidqi al-Maqt and Amal Abu Salah were released at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The release was a "political gesture of goodwill, following the return of the body of Israeli soldier, Zacharia Baumel, from Syria to Israel," the reports cited Netanyahu's office statement as saying.

In April 2019, Israel retrieved the remains of Baumel, who was missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub during the Lebanon War.

Al-Maqt, 53, a resident of the Golan Heights Druze village of Majdal Shams, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on several charges, including "espionage, treason and supporting terrorism."

Abu Salah, 26, also a resident of Majdal Shams, was sentenced to seven years in prison for allegedly injuring two Israeli soldiers in 2015.

Some Israeli media reported that the release of the two Syrians are linked with Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Israel in January as part of Israel's efforts to release an Israeli woman arrested in Moscow.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara