Israeli Hostage Remains in Hamas Captivity Following Identification of Latest Body

Israeli authorities confirmed Wednesday that the remains returned from Gaza were those of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai national killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. With this identification, Israeli police officer Ran Gvili becomes the last hostage whose remains are still being held in Gaza.

Rinthalak was working in Israel to financially support his family in Thailand when he was killed during the devastating attack. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), his body was taken from orchards at Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the communities most severely impacted during the massacre. His remains were subsequently transported to Gaza and held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second-largest militant organization in the enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement confirming that arrangements were being made to return Rinthalak’s remains to Thailand for proper burial, working in coordination with the Thai Embassy in Israel.

“The government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the Thai people and all of fallen hostages’ families,” the statement read. It also noted that the Rinthalak family and Thai Ambassador to Israel Boonyarit Vichienpuntu had expressed “deep gratitude and appreciation to the State of Israel for the efforts to return Sudthisak and for the continuous support provided to the family since the outbreak of the war.”

The Israeli government’s statement emphasized that authorities remain “determined, committed, and working tirelessly” to recover the remains of Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, a National Counter-Terrorism Unit fighter who was killed on October 7, and whose body is the last still being held in Gaza.

Rinthalak was raised in Rattanawapi in Thailand’s Nong Khai province. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, his favorite food was omelet with tomatoes. He is survived by his brother and parents.

In a heartbreaking revelation, Rinthalak’s mother, On, told Israeli news outlet Ynet that she had spoken with her son approximately 10 days before the attack. During that conversation, she had urged him to visit Thailand, as they hadn’t seen him for many years since he had left for work in Israel. Rinthalak reportedly told his mother that he wanted to save more money before returning home permanently.

“Then October 7 happened and he was murdered,” his mother recounted. “I want my son home as soon as possible. I wait for him every day.”

The return of Rinthalak’s remains marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to recover all hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. Initially, Hamas and other militant groups captured approximately 255 hostages during their incursion into southern Israel, triggering the ongoing war. Many were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023, while others have been rescued by Israeli forces or had their remains recovered.

The recovery process has been emotionally taxing for families who have spent over two years waiting for news of their loved ones. In a Fox News op-ed, Ran Gvili’s mother, Talik, expressed her fear that her son would be “left behind” after so many others had been brought home.

“When this nightmare began, there were 255 hostages. Their families became one big family. We held each other through every unbearable moment. Every time someone returned, there was a feeling that part of us came back. And now we’re down to the last two in the darkness of Gaza,” she wrote, before Rinthalak’s remains were identified. “I’m terrified that after bringing so many home, my Ran will be left behind.”

The return of hostages, both living and deceased, has been a central issue in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with international mediators including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar working to broker agreements. The identification of Rinthalak’s remains comes as diplomatic efforts continue to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and secure the release of all remaining hostages.