Seventeen Thai nationals who had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip have finally returned home.
They landed at an international airport near Bangkok on Thursday. They are the first group of Thai hostages to arrive home since the conflict broke out in early October.
They were taken captive during Hamas’s surprise assault on southern Israel, where they were working in agriculture and other sectors.
They were released after a pause in fighting between Israel and the Islamic group took effect last week.
Six others have also been freed, but are still waiting to return.
The returnees asked those who came to the airport to join them in observing a moment of silence for the 39 Thai nationals who died in the attack by Hamas.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin welcomed the seventeen in a video conference call.
They will undergo medical assessments before being allowed to return to their homes.
Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara accompanied them on the flight. Earlier in November, he went to Qatar and Egypt to ask for the help of these countries in releasing the hostages. The two countries brokered the truce deal between Israel and Hamas.
Thai government officials say they will continue to urge the relevant parties to help secure the release of nine other Thais still believed to be held in Gaza.
