Prisoners swapped in Russia-mediated deal

Two Syrian shepherds were exchanged for an Israeli woman under a prisoner exchange deal on Thursday mediated by Russia. Israel’s military said the two had been arrested “a few weeks” ago, after they crossed the contested border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the exchange was mediated by Russia. Thanking Russian leader Vladimir Putin after the deal, the Israeli leader said he had asked his “friend” to help “and he acted”. Israel seized much of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community.