Thailand says Hamas still holds 20 of its nationals after releasing 10 in the first phase of truce

Thailand says Hamas still holds 20 of its nationals after releasing 10 in the first phase of truce

Nov 25, 2023 - 14:30
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Thailand says Hamas still holds 20 of its nationals after releasing 10 in the first phase of truce

Palestinian militant group Hamas is still holding 20 nationals from Thailand after having freed 10 from Gaza, Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Saturday, following a deal during the first truce of a seven-week long war.

The freed hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, the ministry said in a statement after the deal brokered separately from Friday’s exchange of hostages for Palestinians from Israeli jails.

“There are now an estimated 20 Thai nationals who remain abducted,” the ministry said, however, adding that four of the Thais released on Friday had not previously been confirmed by Israel to be in captivity.

“We sincerely hope the remaining hostages will be treated humanely and released safely as soon as possible,” ministry officials added.

Among those released was the only Thai woman known to be held by Hamas, photographs from the ministry showed, as the group met doctors at a medical centre in Israel.

People aware of the developments said the release was unrelated to the truce deal with Israel and followed a separate track of talks with Hamas mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

The ministry thanked the governments of Egypt, Iran, Israel, Malaysia, Qatar and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as others involved in the “immense efforts” that led to the release.

Earlier reports had said about a dozen Thais had been released.

About 30,000 Thai nationals work in Israel, forming one of its largest groups of migrant workers, many in agriculture.

Among those freed on Friday were Wichai Kalapat whose girlfriend told the BBC she had spotted him alive in a car carrying hostages from the border. She had initially believed him to have been among at least 30 Thai nationals killed in the October 7 attacks and had posted messages mourning him on social media.

The group included the only Thai woman to have been held, Nutthawaree Munkan, who is a factory worker and mother from a rural and impoverished region that many leave to seek opportunities abroad.

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