Israeli and Syrian officers have met at the demarcation line on the Golan Heights, it was disclosed today. The meeting, which took place several days ago, dealt with procedures for allowing Druze families on both sides of the line to meet. Last week, the first such reunions since the Six-Day War took place under United Nations supervision, following agreement between Israel and Syria.
The Israeli and Syrian officers are also believed to have discussed the Syrian soldier who defected to Israel last Monday. He was identified today as Pvt. Ibrahim Mouhammed Jabi, 25, a Druze who served in a Syrian infantry unit stationed on the Golan Heights. Jabi was reported to be recovering from wounds inflicted by fellow soldiers who chased him and opened fire as he crossed into Israel-held territory. According to military sources, Jabi has requested asylum in Israel for personal rather than political reasons.
The meeting of the Israeli and Syrian officers occurred while the first Druze family reunions were taking place. They went unnoticed at the time because the press was barred from the site at Syria’s request. It was learned that several prior meetings had taken place to discuss matters related to the opening of the border fence.
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