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Tel Aviv, Israel – A Thai national who was among the hostages released in a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in January suffered a brutal assault while in captivity, resulting in broken teeth, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 on Wednesday.
The report revealed that the hostage, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was struck with a weapon by Hamas terrorists while being held in Gaza.
Following his release, he was transferred to Shamir Medical Center in Be’er Yaakov, where he underwent rehabilitation for his injuries.
Israeli authorities have committed to financing his dental treatment in Thailand, Channel 12 added. The released hostage is one of five Thai nationals who were freed as part of the deal.
The others—Thenna Pongsak, 36, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Sriaoun Watchara, 33, Seathao Bannawat, 27, and Rumnao Surasak, 32—have since returned to Thailand.
Thai Hostages Receive Financial Assistance
The Israeli government has also arranged financial aid for the former captives. Each of the five Thai nationals is set to receive a monthly stipend of NIS 9,000 (approximately $2,400).
This assistance aims to support their recovery and reintegration after months of captivity in Gaza.
Thai nationals have been among the foreign workers affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Many of them were employed in Israel’s agricultural sector when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on October 7, 2023.
The deadly assault resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of hundreds, including both Israeli and foreign nationals.
Details of the Hostage Release
The January hostage release came as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement, which saw the exchange of captives for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Alongside the five Thai nationals, Israeli hostages Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Moses were also freed. Hours earlier, IDF observer Agam Berger had been released as well.
The fate of the remaining hostages in Gaza continues to be a source of concern. While negotiations have led to the return of some captives, Israeli officials have warned that dozens remain in Hamas custody, with efforts ongoing to secure their release.
The Thai government has maintained close coordination with Israel regarding the situation of its citizens.
Since the start of the conflict, Thai authorities have worked to evacuate thousands of their nationals from Israel, given the risks faced by migrant workers in the region.
For the former hostages, the journey to recovery remains challenging. While financial aid and medical support are being provided, the psychological and physical scars of their captivity persist.
The case of the Thai hostage who suffered broken teeth underscores the brutal treatment endured by many while in Hamas custody.
As tensions in the region persist, the plight of both Israeli and foreign hostages remains a pressing issue, with calls for further diplomatic efforts to bring them home safely.