The Guardian: Thailand’s PM says 12 of its citizens held hostage by Hamas have been freed
Srettha Thavisin confirms release of a dozen of at least 26 nationals being held after weeks of negotiations
A dozen of the 26 Thai nationals taken hostage by Hamas in the 7 October attacks in Israel have been released, Thailand’s prime minister has said.
Srettha Thavisin said on X he had received confirmation of their release, and that Thai embassy officials were going to pick them up. “[We] will know more information in an hour,” he said on Friday evening.
It had earlier been reported by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news site that 23 Thai nationals were set to be freed by Hamas without any conditions, after weeks of negotiations by the Thai government, which last month met representatives of the militant group in Tehran in an attempt to secure their release.
At least 26 Thai nationals were being held by Hamas, while 39 Thai nationals have been killed, according to Thai officials. Three people remain in hospital.
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Update #1: 12 Thai hostages freed from Gaza, Thai prime minister says (Washington Post)
Update #2: Thailand prime minister says 12 Thai hostages released from Gaza (The Hill)
WNU Editor: This is a surprise. I was not aware that Hamas had these many Thai hostages.