Israel says it has retrieved the physique of a Thai hostage kidnapped and brought into Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, because it continues its navy offensive throughout the strip, killing at the least 22 individuals in a single day, in response to well being officers.
The prime minister’s workplace stated Saturday that the physique of Thai citizen Nattapong Pinta was returned to Israel in a particular navy operation. Pinta had come to Israel to work in agriculture. He had a spouse and son.
Pinta was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz and killed in captivity close to the beginning of the battle, stated the federal government. His physique was retrieved from the Rafah space, Israel’s protection minister stated.
Israel stated it discovered Pinta’s physique primarily based on data acquired from the hostage activity drive and navy intelligence. The military stated he was taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small armed group that it stated had additionally kidnapped and killed Shiri Bibas and her two young children.
Hostage’s Household Discussion board through AP
An announcement from the hostage discussion board, which helps the hostages, stated it stands with Pinta’s household and shares of their grief. It known as on the nation’s determination makers to convey residence the remaining hostages and provides those that have died a correct burial.
Thais had been the biggest group of foreigners held captive by Hamas militants. Lots of the Thai agricultural staff lived in compounds on the outskirts of southern Israeli kibbutzim and cities, and Hamas militants overran these locations first. A complete of 46 Thais have been killed throughout the battle, in response to Thailand’s Ministry of International Affairs.
Earlier than Pinta’s physique was retrieved, three Thai hostages remained in captivity and two had been confirmed useless. The destiny of Pinta was unsure till right this moment, in response to the hostage discussion board.
Fifty-five hostages stay in Gaza, of whom Israel says greater than half are useless.
This comes two days after the our bodies of two Israeli-American hostages had been retrieved. Judith Weinstein and Gad Haggai had been killed on October 7, and their our bodies taken into Gaza. They’d additionally lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz, CBS Information beforehand reported. They’d additionally been taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades.
The retrieval of Pinta’s physique comes as Israel continues its navy marketing campaign throughout Gaza. Hospital officers stated they acquired the our bodies of almost two dozen individuals Saturday.
4 strikes hit the Muwasi space in southern Gaza between Rafah and Khan Younis. In northern Gaza, one strike hit an condo, killing seven individuals, together with a mom and 5 youngsters. Their our bodies had been taken to Shifa hospital.
Israel stated Saturday that it’s responding to Hamas’ “barbaric attacks” and is dismantling its capabilities. It stated it follows worldwide regulation and takes all possible precautions to mitigate civilian hurt.
Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, within the Oct. 7 assault and kidnapped 251 hostages. They’re nonetheless holding 55 hostages, round a 3rd of them believed to be alive, after many of the relaxation had been launched in ceasefire agreements or different offers. Israeli forces have rescued eight dwelling hostages from Gaza and recovered dozens of our bodies.
Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed greater than 54,000 Palestinians, principally ladies and youngsters, in response to the Gaza Well being Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. The offensive has destroyed giant elements of Gaza and displaced round 90% of its inhabitants of roughly 2 million Palestinians.
