The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand confirmed this Monday the release of three other Thai hostages, all male, held by the Islamic group Hamaswithin the framework of the third day of the truce reached with Israel.
The three Thais were released along with others 14 Israeli hostages on the third consecutive day of truce, so the total number of captives from the country of the Southeast Asian released now amounts to 17.
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According to the ministry, the individuals were transferred to a medical center as soon as they were released by the islamist groupwhere they received medical care and contacted their families.
Another 15 Thais remain held after they were kidnapped along with more than 240 people captured by the armed wing of Hamas during its assault on Israel on October 7.
Since then, Thailand has sought different ways to achieve the release of the captives, which included negotiations and diplomatic trips to Egypt, Taste and Iranfor which the Asian country thanked this Monday “all parties involved in the efforts to achieve this latest release.”
“He Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly congratulates the recently freed hostages and their families and thanks all parties involved in the efforts to achieve this latest release“said the portfolio in a statement.
He also indicated that the Government “continues to make every effort to achieve safe release as soon as possible” of the 15 remaining Thai hostages, as he prepares to bring back Thailand to the 17 Thais who have already been released “as soon as possible”.
Some 30,000 Thais were in Israelamong them 5,000 employees near Gaza, at the time of the attack perpetrated by Hamasof which have already returned more than 10,000although the majority have chosen to stay in Israeli territory.
The agreement reached between Hamas and Israelwith the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the USAprovides for the release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners in total, and could be extended in the event that Hamas undertakes to deliver at least ten captives per day.
Since the beginning of the exchanges last Friday, Israel has released 117 Palestinian women and adolescents, while Hamas has freed 58 people, of whom 40 are Israelis, 17 Thais and one Filipino.
Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7 after an attack by the Islamist group that left some 1,200 dead and more than 240 kidnapped.
The vigorous Israeli response in the Palestinian enclave has already counted since then more than 14,800 deadAccording to authorities, the majority are children and women, and it is estimated that more than 7,000 people are missing under the rubble.
