Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar tells his Thai counterpart that the five Thai hostages freed today are in good condition. Sa’ar speaks by phone with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, telling him that an initial medical check of the five freed captives shows that they are “in good condition,

The five hostages were among the 31 Thai agricultural workers who were captured by Hamas from four farms close to the Gaza border. Earlier, 23 hostages were released and two, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, were confirmed dead in May of last year.

Hamas freed three Israelis and five Thai nationals in exchange for more than 100 Palestinians. But the militant group struggled to control crowds, prompting a delay.

Confirming the release of five Thai hostages in Gaza, Bangkok on Thursday expressed its “deep appreciation” to mediators over their efforts in securing its citizens held since October 2023 in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israel briefly delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners in protest over chaotic scenes during an earlier handover of hostages by Hamas, with the government saying it’s now satisfied future releases will be better managed.

The Israeli hostages due to be released in Gaza on Thursday have been named by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office (PMO), which also confirmed that five Thai nationals will be freed.

Hamas confirmed for the first time on Thursday that Israeli killed the head of its military wing, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike last year. Deif was one of the alleged

Thailand and Israel have expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.

As Hamas released five Thai hostages on Thursday, it is important to note what so many Thai workers were doing in Israel. Israel welcomed migrant workers following the 1987-93 Palestinian revolt known as the first Intifada,

Steve Witkoff, the U.S.’s new Middle East envoy, has joined Israelis in Tel Aviv who have gathered to watch the hostage releases in what has become known as “Hostage Square,” according to images broadcast on Israeli television.

Five Thai farmworkers’ suffering ended with an exchange on Thursday alongside three released Israeli hostages. Diplomatic efforts to free them, at times, frayed relations between Bangkok and Jerusalem.

Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its 2023 attack on Israel were released Thursday, while one remaining Thai citizen remains in captivity