The capture by the villagers at the border • Netanyahu's conversation with Putin • The fear of instability in Syria • and the proposal that led to his release • "The vaccination deal" - all the details
"We acted quickly, we acted correctly, I am satisfied with the result," a senior member of the political-security system sums up the moves led by the state, in order to end the affair of the Israeli's intrusion into Syria three weeks ago.
Prime Minister Netanyahu on the return of the young Israeli woman from Syria
The young woman apparently crossed the border on January 31.
It was captured by villagers, who handed it over to the Syrian army, and the security establishment notes that it was a great fortune that it did not fall into the hands of one of the terrorist organizations active in the area.
When the information from the Russians arrived at the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu instructed the head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben Shabbat, to handle the incident. Abra Mengistu, who voluntarily entered the Gaza Strip and has since been held by Hamas, and Elhanan Tenenbaum, whose own actions led to his capture by Hezbollah.
"The lesson of the past is that as time goes on, the price becomes much higher and the difficulties of release are greater, so action must be taken quickly to end the affair," was the conclusion of the initial discussion in Netanyahu's office.
Ben Shabbat contacted Russia's national security adviser, Nikolai Petrushev.
Later, a first conversation took place between Netanyahu and the Russian president, in which the prime minister also discussed details with Putin.
Two more days passed, and on Saturday night a week ago, President Putin informed Netanyahu that he could help return the young woman.
Then Ben Shabbat and Petroshev talked again, and negotiations actually began.
Russia actually represented Syria in the talks, and in order to give the deal a fair price, it asked Israel to release Syrian citizens it holds and take another humanitarian gesture.
Finally, according to reports, it was agreed that Israel would fund 50,000 Sputnik vaccines for the Syrians.
Despite the cross-border operation for the rescue, the Israeli did not express satisfaction or joy at the release.
"A bleeding incident was avoided, an open wound that could have accompanied us for many years," concluded one of the senior officials who handled the affair.