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

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

Israel on Friday released two prisoners, including one jailed for spying for Syria, in what it called a goodwill gesture for the Russian-assisted repatriation of the body of a long-missing Israeli soldier last year.

Ciara Lee reports

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.