Another group of Israeli prisoners of war arrived here from Cairo at noon today and were taken to an army camp where they were issued fresh clothing before returning to their homes. So far 74 Israeli POWs have been returned in exchange for 3044 Egyptian POWs including the wounded on both sides. The exchange ratio is running at 35-1 in favor of Egypt. Cairo acknowledged holding only 238 Israeli POWs while Israel captured over 8000 Egyptians. Israel sent home 1676 Egyptians yesterday and 1500 more are scheduled to emplane for Cairo today. Generally, Israel is satisfied with the treatment its POWs received at Egyptian hands. The wounded were visited at Tel Hashomer Hospital by Premier Golda Meir Friday and by Defense Minister Moshe Dayan yesterday. Dayan said that while the Egyptians behaved correctly toward the captured Israelis in most cases, there were some reports of callous treatment by soldiers on the battlefield and by prison wardens. He said he learned that one POW was beaten in prison.
It was learned, meanwhile, that Israeli POWs were held in solitary confinement and the wounded in isolation wards. They were given no news. One returnee said Egyptian doctors boasted to him that the Egyptian army was advancing into the heart of Israel. Wounded POWs had no complaint about the medical treatment they received. Physicians at Tel Hashomer-Sheba Hospital confirmed that the treatment was good but said the Egyptian doctors neglected physiotherapy which often hastens recovery.
LATE NEWS BULLETIN
Histadrut General Secretary Yitzhak Ben Aharon officially announced tonight his resignation from that post claiming that this step was the result of a campaign against him.
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