Four more Thais released by Hamas, 18 still being held hostage
A second batch of four more Thai nationals held hostage in the Gaza Strip was released by the Palestinian group, Hamas, on Sunday.
They are currently being taken to a hospital in Israel for a health check, according to a report from the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The embassy said that Israeli authorities had confirmed two more Thais earlier unaccounted for were among those taken hostage in the October 7 raid by Hamas, taking the total number of Thai hostages still in Gaza to 18.
The ministry said that the first batch of 10 Thais released on Friday had opportunities to talk to their families, adding that Thai authorities would fly them home as soon as possible.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, beginning the morning of November 24. Under the terms of the truce, some Palestinians will be freed from detention in Israel while Hamas will release people it has taken hostage.
The Israeli military also reported UN humanitarian aid entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing on the first day of the truce. The UN Humanitarian Office said goods carried in 137 trucks had been offloaded in Gaza on Friday, the biggest convoy since October 7.
