Release of 12 Thais in Separate Agreement with Hamas Mediated by Qatar and Egypt

The head of the Egyptian General Authority for Information, Diaa Rachwan, announced today, Friday, the release of 12 Thai citizens from Gaza alongside 13 Israeli hostages. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated on social media: "We received confirmation that Hamas released 12 of our citizens who were held during the attacks on October 7, following hours after the truce went into effect." The Prime Minister posted on the platform "X" that "I have been informed by the security side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the 12 Thai hostages have indeed been released." An official indicated that around 12 Thai detainees were freed today under a separate agreement mediated by Qatar and Egypt with Hamas, adding that all are men and not included in the truce agreement with Israel, which involves women and children. Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, was the main mediator that reached a renewable four-day truce agreement, during which 50 hostages held in Gaza will be exchanged for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.