In this photo provided by Thailand's Foreign Ministry, ten of freed Thai hostages and an officer, fourth from left, pose for a photo at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Hamas freed 10 Thai nationals seized in the group’s surprise attack on southern Israel last month, releasing them alongside Israeli hostages who were part of the first swap under a new cease-fire deal.(Thailand's Foreign Ministry via AP )
Israel Palestinians Thai Hostages
UNDATED—Hamas releasing 13 Israeli hostages on Friday as part of the hostage -prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and the militant group.
10 Thai nationals and a Filipino included for a total of 24 hostages seized in the first stage of the deal that calls for a four day cease fire in the war, sparked by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last month.
One of the Thai men released Friday cared for an elderly man who lived at Nir Oz, one of more than 20 towns and villages in southern Israel that were ambushed in the sweeping assault by Hamas launched from the embattled Gaza Strip.
The village said Friday that it “welcomes the return from captivity of Gelienor (Jimmy) Pacheco, 33, the devoted carer of the late Amitai Ben-Zvi, who was murdered during the terrorist attack.”
Thailand thanked Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“It is our deep hope that all remaining hostages will be taken care of, and will be safely released at the earliest opportunity,” the Thai Foreign Ministry said.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was the first Thai official to post news of the release, writing on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, that 12 had been freed. The spokesman for the Qatari foreign ministry, Majed al-Ansari, posted on X that the number was 10.
Thailand said that it was checking the conflicting information.
