BANGKOK: Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel were released Thursday. They were among 31 Thais taken by the militant group, of whom 23 have already been released.

The five hostages were among the 31 Thai agricultural workers who were captured by Hamas from four farms close to the Gaza border. Earlier, 23 hostages were released and two, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, were confirmed dead in May of last year.

Five Thai farmworkers’ suffering ended with an exchange on Thursday alongside three released Israeli hostages. Diplomatic efforts to free them, at times, frayed relations between Bangkok and Jerusalem.