Israel honors a murdered Thai worker while Gaza terror factions display relentless barbarity and deception.
Israel announced a solemn yet significant development on Thursday: the remains of Thai hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak were finally returned home after 789 harrowing days in the hands of Gaza’s terror groups. The National Center of Forensic Medicine, working with the Israel Police and Military Rabbinate, confirmed his identity and notified the grieving family.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons, assured that arrangements for Sudthisak’s return to Thailand will proceed with full state honors and coordination with the Thai Embassy. Israel emphasized its deep solidarity with the Rinthalak family and the Thai people, who lost dozens of citizens during Hamas’s genocidal massacre of October 7.
Rinthalak, a hardworking agricultural laborer employed near Kibbutz Be’eri, was murdered and abducted by Islamic Jihad terrorists, who desecrated his body by holding it captive in Gaza. He was 42. His killing forms part of the systematic slaughter that claimed the lives of 39 Thai nationals, with 31 others kidnapped in Hamas’s barbaric assault.
President Isaac Herzog praised Sudthisak as a devoted son who came to Israel to provide for his family, condemning the “relentless cruelty” of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who continue to hold the remains of Israeli hero Ran Gvili, an officer who fell defending civilians on October 7.
The Hostages Families Forum shared personal details that underscored Sudthisak’s humanity—his love for tomato omelets, his close bond with his brother, and his dedication to his work. He moved to Israel in 2017 seeking a better life, only to fall victim to the savage violence unleashed from Gaza.
Israel continues to search for every missing hostage and body, while terror groups attempt to manipulate humanitarian processes. Earlier this week, Hamas transferred unidentified remains that proved unrelated to any known Israeli victims—a cruel psychological ploy emblematic of their ongoing deceit.
Last week, Israel succeeded in retrieving the body of Dror Or, another October 7 victim stolen into Gaza. The nation remains steadfast: every hostage—living or deceased—will be brought home despite the terrorists’ obstruction.
