Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Friday, November 24, 2023
Thailand announces 12 of its citizens held hostage in Gaza have been released
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) meets with his counterpart from Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara in Cairo on November 1, 2023, to discuss the situation of Thai hostages held by Hamas. (Photo by AFP)
In addition to the 13 Israeli hostages slated for release in the coming minutes, Egypt’s government media office announces that it has successfully negotiated the separate release of 12 Thai hostages who were abducted during Hamas’s October 7 terror onslaught.
Bangkok says it believes 26 of its citizens were taken hostage that day.
The 12 hostages will also reportedly be released today.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s subsequently confirms that 12 of the country’s citizens have been released.