Seventeen Thai captives kidnapped by Hamas terrorists have returned to Thailand, bringing jubilation to their families. They were held in Gaza for nearly two months by the terrorists. They were greeted with pleasure by their families at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Thursday.
They were the first Thai captive group to return home. Six more liberated Thais are being treated in an Israeli hospital, while nine were still being detained by Hamas, which had kidnapped 240 civilians and took them to back Gaza as hostages after the Oct. 7 attack.
The Thais were kidnapped from agricultural areas in southern Israel after Hamas breached a fence separating Gaza from the Jewish state.
Before the battle, an estimated 30,000 Thais worked in agriculture in Israel. Since Oct. 7, around one-third of them have chosen to return to Thailand. Since then, around 8,500 Thai nationals have been repatriated from Israel.
Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who came to Israel earlier this week to meet with released Thai hostages, accompanied the first set of ex-hostages on their return trip and said he shared their emotions.
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“When I met with the 17 Thai nationals who were recently released, my joy was overwhelming and so was my relief,” Parnpree was quoted as saying by reporters.
When the first group of Thai nationals held prisoner by Hamas in Gaza landed at a Bangkok airport, they requested a moment of quiet in memory of the Thai laborers martyred.
The first group of 17 returned on Thursday from a total of 23, with nine remaining in prison in Gaza.
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The returnees walked straight, some wearing shirts with Thai and Israeli flags.
The efforts of a Thai Muslim group that held direct talks with the terrorists were critical in winning the early release of Thai hostages. The first day of the ceasefire saw the unconditional release of ten Thai hostages.
Hamas is a Palestinian militant and political organization. It was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada against Israeli rule in the occupied territories. While some countries, including the United States, Israel, Canada, the European Union, and others, designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Hamas also has a significant political presence and support among Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The characterization of Hamas varies depending on different perspectives and geopolitical considerations.
