New Delhi: Twelve Thai hostages have been released by Hamas, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced in a post on social media platform X, adding that Embassy officials are on their way to receive the freed individuals.
“It has been confirmed by the Security Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages have already been released. Embassy officials are on their way to pick them up in another hour. Their names and details should be known soon,” Thavisin wrote.
According to reports, the hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross and are en route to Rafah, Gaza’s border with Egypt.
As part of temporary ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Palestine militant organisation was initially scheduled to deliver 13 Israeli hostages to Egypt in return for 39 Palestinians in Israeli jails.
Minutes before the 4 pm prisoner-swap deadline was to end, Thailand announced 12 of its citizens are being released in addition to the 13 Israelis.
