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Israel Identifies Thai Hostage’s Remains, Leaving One Body Still in Gaza

The confirmation narrows the search to one body, intensifying pressure to finish phase-one exchanges before decisions on Rafah access or subsequent steps in the ceasefire.

Overview

  • Israeli forensic authorities confirmed the remains handed over via the Red Cross as those of Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, who was killed on Oct. 7, 2023.
  • With Rinthalak identified, only the body of Israeli officer Ran Gvili is still believed to be in Gaza, as Hamas and allied groups say searches continue in the north.
  • Since the U.S.-brokered truce began, 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 of 28 deceased have been returned, alongside large releases of Palestinian prisoners and bodies.
  • Israel says Rafah will open in the coming days for Palestinians to exit subject to security approval under an EU-supervised mechanism, while Egypt rejects a one-way opening and insists on two-way movement.
  • The ceasefire remains fragile as limited clashes persist, with Israel reporting strikes after militant attacks and Gaza authorities reporting ongoing Palestinian fatalities.