The first 10 Thai hostages were released by Hamas yesterday and they are now being taken care of at the Shamir Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, the Thai Foreign Ministry announced today.
The ten have been identified as Natthawaree Moonkan, Santi Boonphrom, Boonthom Phankhong, Mongkol Pajuabboon, Witoon Phumee, Vichai Kalapat, Bancha Khongmanee, Bootdee Sangboon, Uthai Thoonsri and Uthai Sangnuan.
Interpreters from the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv have been helping the hostages to communicate with Israeli officials and have notified their relatives in Thailand about their release and their condition.
According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, the hostages will spend 48 hours in the hospital, where they are being cared for by six medical teams, each comprising a physician, a nurse and a social welfare official. Psychiatrists who can speak Thai have also been arranged.
All Thai hostages will receive benefits reserved for victims of terrorism, in accordance with the Israeli law, said the Foreign Ministry, adding that the Thai government will arrange for their repatriation.
The ministry also said that about 20 Thai nationals are still believed to be being held hostage in Gaza, because four of the first group of 10 hostages released by Hamas are not among the 26 hostages originally confirmed by the Israelis, adding that the Thai government will try its utmost to secure the release of all hostages.
The Thai government has thanked all parties who were involved in the securing the release of the hostages, including the governments of Qatar, Israel, Iran, Egypt and Malaysia, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross. It also expressed hope that the remaining hostages will be safely released in the near future.
