The terrorists called to the workers from Thailand in their native tongue to lure them out of hiding, only to kill them or take them hostage

Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its 2023 attack on Israel were released Thursday, while one remaining Thai citizen remains in captivity.

The father of a Thai farmhand who was held hostage in Gaza for 15 months could barely get the words out at hearing the news of his son’s release.

Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were freed earlier in what PM Benjamin Netanyahu called "shocking scenes".

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest coverage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

Thailand and Israel have expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said the countries share a mutual interest in establishing an FTA,

Israel had delayed their release in protest against the way the eight hostages freed by Hamas were treated as they were handed over to Red Cross staff in Khan Younis. View on euronews

Hamas militants kidnapped 31 Thai nationals during the assault on southern Israel, making them the largest group of foreigners held captive.

Among the Palestinians released on Thursday in a hostage-for-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas was Zakaria Zubeidi, who over the past two decades has been a militant, a theater director and an escaped prisoner whose flight stunned Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Hamas has released three Israeli and five Thai captives in Gaza and Israel began releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners after delaying the process after crowds swarmed one of the captive handover points.

As Hamas released five Thai hostages on Thursday, it is important to note what so many Thai workers were doing in Israel. Israel welcomed migrant workers following the 1987-93 Palestinian revolt known as the first Intifada,