Body of Thai hostage has been retrieved in Gaza, Israel defence minister says
Body of Thai hostage in Gaza found after nearly 2 years
- The body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai national taken hostage on 7 October 2023, has been recovered from Rafah in southern Gaza, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.
- Pinta, an agricultural worker, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where one in four residents were killed or taken hostage during the Hamas-led attack.
- The Israeli military stated that Pinta was abducted alive and later killed by his captors, the Mujahedeen Brigades, who were also responsible for the deaths of two Israeli-American hostages.
- Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in Israel during the October 7 attack, with 55 hostages remaining in Gaza and 20 believed to be alive, according to Israeli authorities.
- Israel's military campaign in response to the attacks has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, displaced over 2 million people, and led to the temporary closure of aid sites after shootings near aid hubs.