1-11-2023 (BANGKOK) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed his condolences to Thailand regarding the tragic deaths of Thai nationals and has pledged full support in rescuing Thai hostages held by Hamas fighters, as stated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
In a statement made after a phone conversation with the Israeli leader on Wednesday, Mr. Srettha explained that Mr. Netanyahu expressed his deep sorrow over the losses, emphasizing that the Thai victims were innocent. He also assured his commitment to making every effort to ensure the safe and swift rescue of the Thai hostages.
According to the Thai government, 32 Thai individuals lost their lives, and 22 were taken captive after Hamas fighters from Gaza crossed into Israel on October 7.
Mr. Srettha conveyed his request to Mr. Netanyahu to assist in facilitating the return of any Thai workers who still wish to leave Israel. Nearly all of the 8,500 people who had registered for repatriation have now returned to Thailand. Mr. Srettha also mentioned that while Israel couldn’t confirm the exact timing of the hostages’ release, negotiations were actively underway.
Reportedly, Hamas representatives have assured Thai negotiators, who traveled to Iran for talks, that the Thai hostages would be released once Israel concludes its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Until such time, it is deemed unsafe to attempt to extricate the hostages from Gaza.
Mr. Srettha stressed the importance of taking care of Thai workers, emphasizing that they are not part of the conflict and have significantly contributed to Israel’s development. The Israeli Prime Minister, according to Mr. Srettha, also pledged to provide assistance if Thai workers wish to return to Israel once conditions return to normal.
“He said to me that he would phone us directly if there is progress (in the hostage situation). And if negotiations may lead to some kind of exchange, he will tell us,” Mr. Srettha stated.
“I said we are open to all (possibilities). I wish for Thai people to return as soon as possible regardless of the methods,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Srettha confirmed that evacuations of Thai nationals from Israel would continue. However, the government would not arrange chartered flights unless there were enough passengers to justify them. The last government-chartered flight to Thailand was scheduled to depart on Wednesday evening local time, and evacuations would persist beyond that, although the numbers no longer warranted additional charter flights, according to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke.
