Five Thai hostages who were held captive for 15 months by Hamas militants in Gaza have been released in a deal negotiated between Thailand and Israel with assistance from Qatar and Iran. The five, aged between 27 and 35, are reported to be in “fair” health after their ordeal.
According to Israeli doctors, the hostages did not appear to be malnourished and their young age helped them survive captivity in relatively good physical shape. The group, which includes Surasak Rumnao, Watchara Sriaoun, Sathian Suwannakham, Pongsak Thaenna, and Bannawat Saethao, stepped off a military helicopter and entered a hospital outside Tel Aviv where they will undergo medical tests and recuperate.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, the United States, Israel, and the Red Cross for their help in negotiating the release. The Thai government may bring some relatives of the released hostages to Israel, while Israel has committed to releasing all remaining international hostages, both living and dead.
Three Israelis were also released on Thursday as part of a ceasefire deal.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-hostage-release-thai-28c08783c4fc6113632470ed5a591299