Approximately 1,100 of the original 6,000 Arab prisoners of war are still in Israeli hands, Dr. Otto Lehner, International Red Cross representative in the Jewish state, told a press conference today. The POW’s include 66 Syrians who will be exchanged for 42 Jewish war prisoners now in Damasous and ten Iraqi soldiers. The remainder are classified as Palestinians, of whom approximately 700 come from areas now occupied by Israel, the Red Cross official said.
A number of these latter prisoners will soon be released. The Red Cross will remain in Palestine until all POW’s are either released or exchanged, Dr. Lehner added. The 42 Israelis now held prisoner in Damasous will be exchanged as soon as the Israeli-Syrian armistice is signed, it was learned here today.
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