Israel identifies body of Gaza hostage as Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak

Israel has identified on Thursday the remains of the hostage it received from Hamas as Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, according to the prime minister’s office.

The body of Israeli Ran Gvili, the last of the living and deceased hostages to be returned, is still in Gaza.

Hamas agreed to hand over all living and deceased hostages held in Gaza as part of the initial ceasefire deal outlined in US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war.

Rinthalak’s body was transferred from Gaza by the Red Cross, and was handed over to the Israeli military to be sent for forensic identification, a statement from the prime minister’s office said.

Rinthalak, 42, was killed at Kibbutz Be’eri during Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Hamas agreed to hand over all living and deceased hostages held in Gaza under a ceasefire agreed in October.

Since the fragile truce started, the Palestinian militant group has returned all 20 living hostages and 27 bodies in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners.