Netanyahu says no Israeli vaccine doses went to Syria after captive release

Prime Minister Netanyahu says no Israeli vaccine doses have been sent to Syria, after Israel negotiated for the release of an Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria and was held by the regime there.

Israel released two Syrian shepherds and reduced the sentence of a security prisoner in what was widely seen as an exchange deal, but other details of the agreement were kept under wraps by Israel’s military censor.

Foreign reports said Israel had agreed to buy $1 million of Russian vaccines for Syria.

In response to a reporter’s question on the issue, Netanyahu says, “I can say that not even one Israeli vaccine dose went to this thing.”

The woman crossed into Syria around two weeks ago, apparently of her own volition, under unclear circumstances.

She returned to Israel via Moscow on Friday, following Russian mediation.

“We brought the woman home, I’m happy we did it, but beyond that I’m not adding anything because that was what Russia requested,” Netanyahu says.