Russian-brokered prisoner exchange talks between Israel and Syria have seen “significant” progress and a deal could be clinched by as early as Thursday night, say Israeli officials.
Israel is seeking the release of an Israeli woman who recently crossed the border and was arrested. The woman, who hasn’t been identified, is reportedly a 25-year-old from Modiin Illit who left the Charedi community. It is unclear why she entered Syria.
National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat and hostage coordinator Yaron Bloom returned to Israel Wednesday afternoon after flying to Moscow in the morning to negotiate the woman’s release.
In return for the Israeli woman’s release, Israel is expected to free incarcerated Golan Heights residents Nihal Al-Maqt and Dhiyab Qahmuz. However, the two are said to be refusing to be sent to Syria as part of the deal, holding up the completion of the exchange.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with Army Radio Wednesday, declined to comment on the negotiations but said: “We are working to save lives. I can just say I’m using my personal connections” with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure her release.
In recent weeks, Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi have been in contact with their Russian counterparts Vladimir Putin, Sergey Shoygu and Sergey Lavrov, respectively, about the matter.
Russia, which is closely allied with the Syrian regime, has regularly served as an intermediary between Jerusalem and Damascus, which do not maintain formal ties and technically remain in a state of war.
