THAI-Muslim politicians announced receiving assurances from the Palestinian group Hamas that all Thai hostages held by the group will be among those released if mediators succeed in orchestrating a truce in Gaza.
Around 240 people hostaged during the surprise attack launched by Hamas on October 7.
Mediators said they are expecting a ceasefire to take place within the next 3 to 5 days.
The ceasefire would pave the way for Hamas to release at least 50 hostages including Thai nationals in exchange for Israel releasing some women and minors.
More than 11,500 Palestinians have died from Israel’s retaliatory attacks, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
About 95 percent of Thailand’s roughly 70 million population are Buddhists who have lived peacefully with the country’s Muslim minority of 5 percent.
The Israel-Hamas conflict divided the support of Thais between Israelis and Palestinians. There were also concerns the war had triggered anti-Muslim hate in Thailand after the situation of Thai expatriates who were attacked and hostaged by Hamas gained international attention.
