Five Thai workers released after being held hostage for over a year in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday. Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were freed on January 30 as part of an exchange arrangement.

Thais were, after Israelis, the nationality most affected by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack, with nearly 40 farm workers killed and almost as many captured.

Five Thai farm workers released by Hamas in Gaza last month have arrived home in Bangkok, after spending nearly 500 days in captivity. Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao and Surasak Lamnao had all been working in southern Israel when they were kidnapped during the attacks in October 2023.

The five men were released last month in southern Gaza as part of ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

Five Thai nationals held hostage in Gaza for more than a year have returned to their home country, after being freed on January 30 under a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza war.

The hostages were five of the 31 Thais abducted by Hamas, while two were confirmed dead in May and one is believed to be alive in Gaza.