Israel said Saturday it had retrieved the body of a Thai hostage, Nattapong Pinta, who was abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The body was returned in a special military operation.
Pinta, a Thai national, was working as an agricultural worker in Israel and was seized by Hamas militants at his compound in Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was killed early in the war, according to the Israeli government.
Thailand’s foreign ministry confirmed that Pinta’s body had been retrieved, but two other Thais are still missing. The news comes two days after the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages were recovered.
Israel’s military offensive continues, killing at least 95 people in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction, with over 90% of Gaza’s population displaced.
The Israeli government says it is responding to Hamas’ “barbaric attacks” and dismantling its capabilities. However, experts warn of famine in the territory due to the destruction of agriculture and markets, as well as a recent Israeli blockade.
Reports indicate that some of the dead were trying to access food aid after widespread destruction of agriculture and markets in Gaza. The Israeli military has been accused of using food aid as a weapon, with reports of gunfire near aid distribution sites.
The conflict has resulted in significant losses, with over 54,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza’s health ministry, mostly women and children. Israel’s military campaign has destroyed large parts of Gaza and displaced around 2 million people.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/07/nx-s1-5426563/gaza-thai-hostage-body-recovered