Israeli and Thai officials confirmed on Thursday that remains returned to Israel from militants in Gaza have been identified as those of the last Thai hostage taken during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the remains belonged to Sudhisak Rinthalak, who was working as an agricultural laborer on a kibbutz when he was abducted.
The identification was confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Rinthalak’s remains were verified by Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine. According to spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura from the Thai ministry, Sudhisak’s family has been informed of the identification. He added that Sudhisak was killed on the day of the attack, and his body was subsequently taken into Gaza.
The return of Rinthalak’s remains marks a significant moment in the ongoing hostage situation. Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire commenced in early October, a total of 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others have been returned to Israel. This exchange is crucial for maintaining the fragile ceasefire, which has endured even as both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violations.
With Rinthalak’s remains returned, only one hostage is still believed to be in Gaza: Ran Gvili, a fighter in an elite Israeli police unit. Gvili was killed after assisting people escaping from the Nova music festival during the October 7 attack. His body was taken to Gaza, and Israeli military confirmed his death four months later. Gvili is survived by his parents and a sister. Netanyahu’s office expressed its commitment to securing Gvili’s return for a proper Jewish burial, stating, “The Government and the entire Directorate for the Hostages and the Missing of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return National Counter-Terrorism Unit fighter and hero Master Sgt. Ran Gvili.”
Since the ceasefire’s implementation, Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian bodies to Gaza in exchange for the remains or handover of hostages. Most of these Palestinian remains have yet to be formally identified, underscoring the complex and sensitive nature of the ongoing situation.
The developments surrounding the return of hostages and remains are not merely political; they resonate deeply with families and communities affected by the conflict. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of those still unaccounted for.
