Thai hostage Nattapong Pinta's body recovered after 20 months of war in Gaza

Agricultural worker was abducted alive from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, by Mujahideen Brigades terrorists and murdered in captivity

On June 7, 2025, officials announced that the body of slain hostage Nattapong Pinta, whom Hamas-led terrorists abducted on October 7, 2023, was recovered in a joint Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet operation in the southern Gaza Strip. Below is an account of what was originally known of his abduction:

Nattapong Pinta, 35, a Thai farm worker, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, when they launched an assault on the community, killing and kidnapping dozens of civilians.

Known as ‘Nick’ on his Facebook page, Pinta was working in the avocado fields of Kibbutz Nir Oz, saving up to pay off a debt and help his wife open a coffee shop, according to a Wall Street Journal article.

He left his wife and young son a year and a half ago to work on the avocado and pomegranate farm, according to the BBC.

On the morning of October 7, Pinta called his wife, Narissara Chanthasang, to tell her there was shooting, and that he was running away.

Pinta was one of the 32 Thai workers who were kidnapped, according to figures from Reuters.

Pinta’s sister was unable to get any details from the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv. Seeing 23 Thai workers released in November in a separate hostage deal between Thailand and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Iran and other nations gave Pinta’s wife, Narissara Chanthasang, fresh hope, reported the Wall Street Journal.

“I felt like my heart was being squeezed when I learned that he hadn’t been freed yet,” she said. “I will definitely go to the airport [when he returns]. Nothing will stop me.”

The IDF said it believed that the Mujahideen Brigades terror group murdered Pinta in captivity during the first months of the war.