A Syrian passenger plane which violated Israel air space over Acre was forced to land at Lydda airport this morning by Israel fighter planes which intercepted it. Israel has complained to the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission.
The plane, which was en route from Damascus to Cairo, carried a crew of five and five passengers, four Arabs and one American. The American was released as soon as he identified himself. The four Arab passengers are in custody, together with the crewmen who are being investigated by the Israel authorities.
A Syrian military spokesman admitted yesterday that Syrian forces had made five Israel soldiers prisoner, it was reported here today. The admission was made after an Israel query to the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission about the fate of the five men, missing since last Wednesday. It was reported that the five disappeared on a routine patrol after persons in the neighborhood heard an exchange of fire from the general area where the patrol was assigned.
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