Hamas returns body of Thai hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak to Israel

Israeli authorities on Thursday morning confirmed that the remains recovered from Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip the previous evening belong to murdered Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, whose body had been held captive since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

Authorities informed Rinthalak’s family that arrangements for returning his body to Thailand for burial will be made in coordination with the Thai Embassy in Israel.

“The Israeli government shares the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the Thai people and all the families of the slain abductees,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

The statement added that Jerusalem and the entire Israeli security establishment are “determined, committed and working tirelessly” to bring home Israel Police counterterror officer Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza.

“The Hamas terrorist organization is required to fulfill its obligations to the mediators and return him as part of the [ceasefire] agreement’s implementation. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we bring him home to Israel,” the PMO said.

According to the IDF, Rinthalak was killed during the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks, and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip, where it was held by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.

He worked in agriculture and was abducted from the orchards of Kibbutz Be’eri.

Rinthalak was 42 at the time of his death, which was officially confirmed on May 16, 2024. He is survived by his parents and a brother.

“The IDF expresses its deep condolences to the families, continues to make every effort to return the remaining deceased hostage, and is prepared to continue implementing the agreement,” the military said in a statement.