Thailand lauds “immense efforts” of Egypt, Qatar to release 10 nationals in Gaza

BANGKOK – Thailand welcomed the release of 10 of its nationals from Gaza on yesterday under a separate track mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

A further 20 were still being held by Hamas, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand in a press release carried by the Bangkok Post, thanking the governments of Egypt and Qatar and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as others involved in the “immense efforts” that led to the release.

The freed hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, the ministry said in a statement after the deal brokered separately from Friday’s exchange of hostages for Palestinians from Israeli jails, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, a source briefed on the negotiations said the release was unrelated to the truce deal with Israel and followed a separate track of talks with Hamas mediated by Egypt and Qatar.