Israel has announced the retrieval of the body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai national who was kidnapped and taken into Gaza on October 7, 2023.
The Prime Minister’s office stated Saturday that the body of the Thai citizen was returned to Israel following a special military operation.
This announcement coincides with Israel’s ongoing military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in at least 22 deaths overnight, according to local health authorities.
According to the Israeli government, Mr. Pinta was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz and subsequently killed in captivity early in the conflict.
This news follows the retrieval of the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages two days prior. Currently, 55 hostages remain in Gaza, and Israel believes that over half of them are deceased.
Israel’s Defense Minister confirmed on Saturday that Mr. Pinta’s body was recovered from the Rafah area. He had come to Israel from Thailand to work in the agricultural sector.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum released a statement expressing solidarity with Mr. Pinta’s family and conveying their condolences. The forum urged Israeli leaders to secure the return of the remaining hostages and ensure proper burials for those who have died.
Thai nationals constituted the largest group of foreign citizens held captive by Hamas militants. Many Thai agricultural workers resided in compounds on the periphery of southern Israeli kibbutzim and towns, which were among the first locations targeted by Hamas militants. According to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 46 Thai citizens have been killed during the conflict.
The recovery of Mr. Pinta’s body occurs as Israel continues its military operations throughout Gaza. Hospital officials reported receiving the bodies of approximately two dozen individuals on Saturday.
One particular strike resulted in the death of seven people, including a mother and her five children. Their bodies were transported to Shifa hospital.
Israel stated on Saturday that its actions are a response to Hamas’s “barbaric attacks” and are aimed at dismantling the organization’s capabilities. They assert that they are adhering to international law and taking all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians.
