AG reportedly approved prisoner releases without cabinet debate, paving way to presidential pardon; move comes weeks after body of IDF's Baumel was returned from Syria via Russia

Senior official maintains decision to free two prisoners was not made in advance; body of IDF soldier Zachary Baumel, missing since 1982, returned to Israel earlier this month

Official says prisoners will be freed after the body of IDF soldier Zachary Baumel, missing since 1982, was returned to Israel earlier this month