Five Thai nationals released by Hamas on January 30th as part of a ceasefire agreement returned to their home country, reuniting with their families at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. So far, five prisoner exchanges have taken place within the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel since it came into effect on January 19th.

The five Thai nationals freed by Hamas on January 30th in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis have returned to their country. At Suvarnabhumi International Airport in the capital Bangkok, the Thai prisoners tearfully reunited with their families. Pongsak Thaenna, one of the prisoners, expressed, “Returning to where we were born. Staying here deeply affected all of us. I don’t know what else to say, we are truly grateful.” Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who accompanied the prisoners from Israel on their return, stated, “This is very emotional. Returning to their families. We never gave up, and this was the result.” Sangiampongsa mentioned that one Thai citizen is still believed to be held captive by Hamas, saying, “We still have hope. We continue to work to bring them back.”

Maris added that efforts to bring back the prisoners also involved the repatriation of the bodies of two deceased Thai citizens. As part of the prisoner exchange, Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, released Israeli civilians Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes along with the five Thai prisoners to the Red Cross in front of the home of Hamas’ late leader Yahya Sinwar in Khan Younis on Thursday, January 30th.