Israeli authorities confirmed that the hostage remains returned on Wednesday were those of Sudthisak Rinthalak, making Israeli police officer Ran Gvili the last hostage in Gaza.
Rinthalak, a Thai citizen, was working in Israel to support his family in Thailand when he was killed in the October 7, 2023, attacks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Rinthalak’s body was recovered from the orchards of Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the communities hardest hit by the massacre. His remains were then taken to Gaza and held hostage by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second largest terrorist organization in the enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the return of Rinthalak’s remains to Thailand for a proper burial would take place in coordination with the Thai embassy in Israel.
“The Government of Israel shares the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the Thai people and all families of fallen hostages,” the statement said. “The Rinthalak family and Thai Ambassador to Israel Boonyarit Vichienpuntu have asked to convey their deep gratitude and appreciation to the State of Israel for the efforts to return Sudthisak and for the continued support provided to the family since the outbreak of war.”
HAMAS TRANSFER REMAINS OF HOSTAGE WHICH WERE FOUND ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO
People hold paper cutouts of dead hostages Ran Gvili and Sudthisak Rinthalak during a rally calling for the immediate return of the remains of all hostages held in Gaza, more than two years after the deadly October 7, 2023 attacks. (Nir Elias/Reuters)
The agency added that it and Israel’s Hostages and Missing Directorate are “working determinedly, diligently and tirelessly to return the fighter and hero of the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, for a proper Jewish burial.”
Rinthalak grew up in Rattanawapi in Nong Khai province, and his family said his favorite food was an omelet with tomatoes, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Rinthalak is survived by his brother and his parents.
Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak was killed in the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, where he was working at the time. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
ISRAELI MOTHER CALLS ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND MEDIATORS TO BRING HOME THE LAST TWO GAZA HOSTAGES
Before his remains were returned to Israel, Rinthalak’s family told Israeli news channel Ynet that he said he would come home for good once he saved some more money.
“About ten days before October 7 was the last time we spoke,” says Rinthalak’s mother, On. Ynet said. “We asked him to come to Thailand for a visit. We hadn’t seen him in years, since he went to Israel for work. He told us he wanted to save some more money and then come home for good. Then it happened on October 7 and he was murdered. I want my son to come home as soon as possible. I wait for him every day.”
Ran Gvili stands in his police uniform. He was hailed as a hero for his actions in repelling terrorists and saving many during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in southern Israel. (Gvili family)
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Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, was killed in the October 7 attacks and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip, where it has been held since the 2023 massacre.
