The five hostages were among the 31 Thai agricultural workers who were captured by Hamas from four farms close to the Gaza border. Earlier, 23 hostages were released and two, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, were confirmed dead in May of last year.

Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its 2023 attack on Israel were released Thursday, while one remaining Thai citizen remains in captivity.

Five Thai farmworkers’ suffering ended with an exchange on Thursday alongside three released Israeli hostages. Diplomatic efforts to free them, at times, frayed relations between Bangkok and Jerusalem.