Their Gaza ordeal may finally be over, but freed Thais hostages are still far from home

When I got the call on (Wednesday, Jan 29) evening from the Thai Embassy (in Tel Aviv) that five Thai hostages will be released, I was really happy. I couldn’t sleep all night,

he told CNA, his voice shaking with emotion

I was so happy that I could not eat anything. His father brought some food to me but I did not want to eat at all,

Khammee said on a video call with The Associated Press after the release of her son

It is confirmed, my son did not die. Thank you God,

Wiwwaeo Sriaoun said as she heard the confirmation that her son Watchara Sriaoun was among those freed

I think he was in fear. He thought he could not return home. I see his fear. He is glad seeing me and his father but I know he is still in fear,

she said

I will hug him when I see him. I want to see if his health is OK, I am worried about his health,

she added between sobs

Come, come home back to your father, mother and daughter,

she said as she watched

My friend called around 10:00 pm and said the ambassador told her five Thais will be released, and my friend said my son could be one,

Wiwwaeo told AFP as she waited for news of the release

It's him, it's really him! He does not look thin at all, he looks the same weight but his hair is shorter than before. They probably cut his hair,

his mother said

I am so happy, finally I get to see my nephew,

she told AFP

We told him to come back because we were worried,

his mother told AFP

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

I view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages. This is further proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization. I demand that the mediators ensure that such threatening scenes do not occur again and guarantee the safety of our hostages. Whoever dares to harm our captives—his blood will be on his head.”

In a post on X, Netanyahu stated

I must say, after the horrific images we witnessed during the release of hostages today, I find it difficult to have any empathy for the ‘civilians’ of Gaza, given they appear so indistinguishable from the savages of Hamas. They seem no different from those who carried out the attacks on October 7th."

One user wrote

The killing of leaders only makes the people stronger and more stubborn,

senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said of Sinwar, filmed by an Israeli drone badly wounded throwing a piece of wood at the device in his final defiance of Israel

Please, let my son walk out now, I want to see his face,

Wiwwaro Sriaoun, 53, said as the footage on her phone showed a vehicle moving slowly through the crowd

Our daughter is strong, faithful, and brave,

a statement from her family said

The fact they give them a certificate and gift bag is so sick and twisted

One X/Twitter user commented beneath an image of Berger

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

The Israeli government embraces Agam Berger, an Israel Defense Forces soldier.

Also commenting on the long-awaited release, the office of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said

Paetongtarn Shinawatraprime Minister

Elated to get confirmation from our Thai Ambassador in Israel who informed me on the phone just now that five of our Thai nationals were indeed released today from Gaza,

Paetongtarn said in a statement in English published on several of her official social media accounts

Thailand calls for the release of all the remaining hostages including a Thai national soonest, so they can safely return to their homeland and to their beloved families,

the ministry added

Though they seem to be in good health, they have been in captivity for 15 months,

he said