Remains of last Thai hostage in Gaza repatriated: ‘may he rest in peace’
Sudthisak Rinthalak’s remains returned to Thailand after being held in Gaza since 2023, allowing his family to perform funeral rites
Sudthisak was 43 and working in agriculture in southern Israel when he was killed on the day of the Hamas attack. His body was then taken to the Gaza Strip and held there throughout the ensuing war.
While Hamas released the living hostages it held in Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel, the process of returning the remains of deceased captives has dragged on.
Israel’s army said last week it had identified Sudthisak’s body, which was returned by militants, and handed it over to Thai authorities for burial.
Sudthisak’s father Thongma told local outlet Manager Online that the family had been waiting for his remains so they could perform Buddhist funeral rites in his hometown in the northeastern province of Nong Khai.
Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Alona Fisher-Kamm, expressed condolences to Sudthisak’s family during a mourning ceremony in Tel Aviv: “May he rest in peace.”