Khammee Lamnao, the mother of freed hostage Surasak Lamnao, sees him for the first time at Shamir Medical Center, Feb. 4, 2025. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)
With tight embraces and tears, the relatives of the recently released Thai nationals arrive at the hospital to see their loved ones for the first time since they were set free by terrorists in Gaza.
Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat and Lamnao Surasak were released on Thursday after 482 days in captivity, in a side agreement alongside the hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Lamnao’s mother and the brothers of Sriaoun and Seathao landed in Israel from Thailand this morning, along with Thenna’s nephew.
Relatives of released Thai hostages see their loved ones for the first time at Shamir Medical Center on February 4, 2025 (Shabtai Itzhak Idan/Shamir Medical Center)
Tens of thousands of laborers from Southeast Asia were working in Israel when the Hamas attack unfolded on October 7, 2023.
Thai nationals were by far the largest group and the most heavily affected.
Phuriphat Thaenna (L) hugs his brother, released Thai hostage Pongsak Thaenna, who was freed from Hamas captivity, at Shamir Medical Center, Feb. 4, 2025. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)Ratthanan Saethao greets his brother, released Thai hostage Bannawat Saethao at Shamir Medical Center, Feb. 4, 2025. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)Phuriphat Thenna is reunited with his uncle, released hostage Thenna Pongsak at the Shamir Medical Center, Feb. 4, 2025. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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