Israeli Authorities Confirm Return of Thai Hostage’s Remains, Leaving One Hostage Still in Gaza
JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli officials confirmed on December 4, 2025, that the remains of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai worker taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, attacks, have been returned to Israel and subsequently repatriated to Thailand. This development leaves Israeli police officer Ran Gvili as the sole remaining hostage, alive or deceased, still held in Gaza by Hamas.
Rinthalak, a national of Thailand, had been working in Israel to support his family back home when he was captured during the brutal assault that targeted multiple Israeli communities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that his body was recovered from the orchards near Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the areas most severely affected by the massacre. Following his death, his remains were taken into Gaza and held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second-largest terrorist organization operating in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement expressing deep sorrow for the loss and gratitude for the efforts to recover Rinthalak’s body. The statement also emphasized coordination with the Thai Embassy in Israel to ensure a respectful and proper burial in Thailand. The Thai Ambassador to Israel, Boonyarit Vichienpuntu, conveyed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the Rinthalak family and the Thai people for Israel’s continuous support and dedication.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the recovery of Rinthalak’s remains marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to account for all those taken hostage during the October 2023 attacks. The Israeli government’s Directorate for the Hostages and the Missing confirmed it remains committed to securing the return of Ran Gvili, a National Counter-Terrorism Unit fighter and revered hero, for a proper Jewish burial.
Rinthalak was originally from Rattanawapi in Nong Khai province, Thailand. His family shared personal memories, including his fondness for omelets with tomatoes, as documented by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. His mother, On, recalled that their last conversation occurred about ten days before the attack, during which he expressed plans to return to Thailand after saving enough money.
The recovery of Rinthalak’s remains follows persistent appeals from families and advocacy groups demanding the return of all hostages held in Gaza. Demonstrations have taken place, with participants holding paper cutouts of the slain hostages, including both Rinthalak and Gvili, underscoring the urgency and emotional toll of the ongoing hostage crisis.
Efforts to negotiate the release or recovery of hostages have involved multiple international stakeholders. The Israeli government has engaged with various mediators, including the U.S. Department of State, to facilitate dialogue aimed at resolving the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, the Central Intelligence Agency and other intelligence agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.
As of this update, Ran Gvili remains the last confirmed hostage in Gaza, with Israeli authorities intensifying their efforts to locate and retrieve him. The situation remains fluid, and the Israeli government has pledged to persist until all hostages are accounted for and returned safely.
The return of Sudthisak Rinthalak’s remains is a somber reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the enduring pain faced by families on all sides. It also highlights the complex and perilous nature of hostage recovery operations amid ongoing hostilities in the region.
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