Thailand In Talks With Iran, Qatar To Release Hostages In Gaza

People attend a rally outside the Knesset to put pressure on the government to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Nov. 7, 2023
People attend a rally outside the Knesset to put pressure on the government to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Nov. 7, 2023

The Thai government is currently in discussions with Iran and Qatar to secure the release of 23 hostages held in Gaza, as reported by Hebrew media sources.

Thai citizens were killed and abducted during an assault on southern Israeli communities in a terror raid by Hamas on October 7. Foreign workers, many from Thailand, have long been employed in Israeli farms bordering Gaza, contributing to various agricultural tasks.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has assured that the hostages in Gaza are safe and will soon be freed. However, details regarding the negotiations and the mediators involved have not been disclosed.

Israeli Channel 12 reported on Monday that the Thai government recently made a donation of 3 million baht, equivalent to approximately $85,000, to the United Nations' agency for Palestinian refugees. Questions have risen regarding whether the donation is linked to the ongoing negotiations.

Channel 12 has also revealed that Iran is playing a pivotal role in the negotiations for the release of the captured Thai nationals. If an agreement is reached, the captives may be transferred to Egypt and then to Tehran before being repatriated to Thailand.

Moreover, Channel 12 showcased a photograph of a Thai delegation, led by the country's deputy prime minister, meeting in Tehran with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian a few days ago.

During the October 7 onslaught, which marked the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, 32 Thai citizens were killed, and 23 were abducted, according to official Thai government figures.

The toll from the attack resulted in the loss of approximately 1,400 lives, with the majority being civilians, and over 240 individuals kidnapped.