Israeli President Issac Herzog on Thursday expressed his joy at the return of three Israeli and five Thai hostages from Gaza.
“While the scenes of abuse and terror towards the hostages as they were transferred to the Red Cross were horrifying, we are moved to tears by the return from captivity of Agam Berger, Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes, along with the five Thai citizens,” he said.
“Agam was brutally taken captive from [the IDF’s] Nahal Oz [base], and is now reunited with her friends, the other young servicewomen who were returned last Saturday. Arbel was taken cruelly from Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with her partner Ariel Cunio, who remains in captivity. Her brother, Dolev, was murdered in the atrocious attack on the kibbutz. And Gadi, whose partner Efrat Katz was murdered, marked his 80th birthday in captivity—his children and grandchildren eagerly await his return,” continued Herzog.
“From an elderly 80-year-old man, to a young 20-year-old girl, they have endured hell with unparalleled bravery, and they are finally reunited with their wonderful families and loved ones. We will not rest and we will not be silent until every one of our sisters and brothers have been returned from captivity in Gaza. Until the last one returns!”
Herzog said he spoke with Thailand’s ambassador to the Jewish state, Pannabha Chandraramya, on Thursday morning ahead of the release by Hamas of Thai nationals Thaenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Saethao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak.
“I told the Ambassador that the people of Israel are very moved by the release of our Thai brothers from the hell of captivity, and that I heard how loved and important they were to the families and communities in which they worked,” he said.
“I expressed to the Ambassador our deep appreciation to the Thai government for the support and solidarity they have shown the State of Israel since October 7th, and I added that we will continue to make every effort to return all the hostages who remain in captivity by Hamas terrorists—including three Thai citizens,” added Herzog.
Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, spoke with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa.
He updated his counterpart on the release of the five Thai hostages and “the steps Israel was taking to ensure their well-being,” according to a ministry post on X.
Sa’ar thanked Sangiampongsa for the Thai government’s cooperation and dialogue with the mediators, which led to the release of the five Thai hostages, tweeting that “the breakthrough came following the previous phone call between the two ministers, two weeks ago (January 14th).”
The two men agreed to meet during Sangiampongsa’s visit to Israel this weekend.
