Remains of Sudthisak Rinthalak Brought Back to Israel from Gaza

The body of Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, abducted and murdered during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, has been recovered from the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel, officials confirmed Thursday morning.

Rinthalak’s remains were identified Wednesday night, and his family has been notified. Arrangements for his repatriation to Thailand are being coordinated with the Thai Embassy in Israel, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced.

“The Israeli government shares the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the Thai people and all the families of the slain abductees,” read a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Rinthalak, 42, was working in agriculture near Kibbutz Be’eri when he was abducted by terrorists during the October massacre and taken into Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. He had been working in Israel since 2017 as part of a foreign worker program and was described as hardworking and well-liked by coworkers.

The PMO also reiterated Israel’s continued efforts to secure the return of Israel Police counterterror officer Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza.

“The Hamas terrorist organization is required to fulfill its obligations to the mediators and return him as part of the agreement’s implementation. We will not compromise on this,” the statement added.

Rinthalak is survived by his brother Thaphon, and parents Thongma and On, in his hometown of Rattanawapi in Nong Khai province, northeastern Thailand.

Thai Ambassador to Israel Bonyarit Vichienpahn expressed the family’s “profound gratitude and appreciation” to the State of Israel for recovering Rinthalak’s body and supporting the family throughout the ordeal.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog extended condolences to Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the Thai people. “When we say we won’t stop until every last hostage is home, we mean it,” Herzog said.

Thirty-nine Thai citizens were murdered and 31 taken hostage on Oct. 7, making Thailand the hardest-hit foreign nation in the Hamas attack. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.