Officials in Damascus have informed residents of the Syrian Golan Heights that another prisoner exchange deal is in the works, in which Druze residents of the Israeli Golan Heights and Syrian prisoners in Israel would be returned to Syria in exchange for the remains of fallen IDF soldiers who are currently listed as "burial place unknown," the London-based pan-Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported Tuesday.
The paper also reported that the families were surprised at the release of two residents of the Syrian Golan in the exchange for the body of Sgt. Zachary Baumel, which was returned to Israel last week for burial.
The report did not include any details about the identities of the soldiers whose remains might be returned to Israel, or when the deal is supposed to take place.
On Monday, the Arabic-language edition of Britain's Independent newspaper reported that Syria has asked Israel to release foreigners who were caught and imprisoned on charges of spying for Iran and Hezbollah. According to the report, which quoted a Western official, Israel refused.
