The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday morning that the body of deceased hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak had been returned to Israel.
“After the identification process was completed by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons, representatives of the IDF, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the family of deceased hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak, that their loved one has been returned to Israel and his identification finalized,” the PMO said.
“The Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons, Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, informed Sudthisak’s family that arrangements for his return for burial in his homeland will be carried out in coordination with the Embassy of Thailand in Israel, and that the Government of Israel shares in the deep grief of the Rinthalak family, of the Thai people, and of all the families of the deceased hostages,” it added.
Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai national, was murdered on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip, where it was held by Islamic Jihad terrorists. He was 42 years old at the time of his death.
Rinthalak worked in agriculture and was kidnapped from the orchards of Kibbutz Be’eri. He is survived by his parents and a brother.
Gaza terror groups are still holding the body of Yassam officer Ran Gvili.
The IDF and Shin Bet announced on Wednesday evening that, according to information provided by the Red Cross, a coffin of a deceased hostage has been transferred into its custody and was then transferred to IDF troops in the Gaza Strip.
After arriving in Israel, the deceased was transferred for examination at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Earlier in the day, the military arm of the Islamic Jihad terror organization in the Gaza Strip issued an official statement claiming that its members had located the body of a slain hostage in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip.
According to the announcement, the body was found by the terrorists while operating in the area.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, “Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker who came from Thailand to Israel to support his family. On October 7th, 2023, Sudthisak was brutally murdered and abducted by terrorists into Gaza. A total of 39 Thai nationals were murdered and 31 Thai nationals were taken captive on that horrific day.”
“For 789 painful days, Sudthisak was held hostage in Gaza. His family back in Thailand have waited in agony for his return. Now, Sudthisak can finally be laid to rest with dignity.
“On behalf of the people of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, Sudthisak Rinthalak’s family, and the entire Thai people. I also express my appreciation for the Thai community in Israel, who continue to contribute so much to our country.
“Hamas’s cruelty continues. Ran Gvili, a police officer who fought and fell heroically on October 7th, is still being held hostage in Gaza. When we say we wont stop until every last hostage is home, we mean it.”
The Hostages Families Forum added: “Sudthisak Rinthalak was born and raised in the town of Rattanawapi in Nong Khai province, northeastern Thailand. His family recalls that his favorite food was an omelet with tomatoes. Sudthisak and his brother were very close, always doing everything together. After Sudthisak separated from his partner, his brother encouraged him to move to Israel, thinking he might find a wife there.”
“Sudthisak worked in agriculture for many years before coming to Israel in 2017 as part of a foreign worker program. He was employed on farms in the Gaza border region, where he was known as hardworking and well-liked by his coworkers.
“On Saturday, October 7th, while visiting a friend near the orchards of Kibbutz Be’eri, Hamas terrorists attacked the area. Sudthisak was kidnapped along with other workers. He was 43 at the time of his death. He is survived by his brother Thaphon, his father Thongma, and his mother On.”
The Tikva Forum responded: “We share the sorrow of the family of Sudthisak Rinthalak, who will be laid to rest in his country.”
“At this moment, our hearts are with the beloved Gvili family. Dear Talik and Itzik, we stand behind you and we will not stop until Rani, a hero of Israel, returns home. From here, I turn to the political echelon: For every day that Rani does not return home, Hamas must pay a price – a heavy price. We must not make peace with this, and we must not allow Hamas to torture us.”
On Tuesday, the Hamas terrorist organization transferred remains that were found in Gaza to Israel for inspection. The Prime Minister’s Office later announced that they did not belong to any deceased hostages.
Last week, the body of Dror Or, who was murdered on October 7th and taken into Gaza from Be’eri, was returned.