Five Israelis were exchanged today for 41 Syrians in a prisoner of war transfer negotiated by the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization and the International Red Cross.
The Israelis who were returned to their families today included four soldiers captured on Dec. 8, 1954 by the Syrians and a civilian kidnapped Aug. 15, 1954. The Syrian prisoners included 35 soldiers, most of whom were captured in the Dec. 17, 1955 raid, and six civilians. The exchange was called for in a UN Security Council resolution of this past January condemning Israel for the raid.
The Israeli soldiers who were repatriated today were: Lt. Meir Moses, Corps. Meir Yacobi. Yacob Lind and Gad Kastelanietz. A fifth soldier captured with them, Uri Ilan, committed suicide in a Damascus prison. The Israeli civilian was Shlomo Ben Yehuda. The parents of the Israelis were present near the Bnot Yaacov Bridge where the exchange took place. The formal action was completed by. UN observers, although Israeli and Syrian representatives were present.
One Arab infiltrator was killed and four were believed wounded today in an exchange between a gang of Arabs and an Israeli patrol opposite the Gaza strip.
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