Iran says ‘mediated’ release of Thai captives held in Gaza

Iran says it mediated the release on Friday of 10 Thai captives held by the Palestinian resistance movements in the Gaza Strip upon a request by Thailand’s officials.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said on Friday that a group of captives taken during its October 7 military operation against Israel were handed over to the Red Cross at the Rafah crossing and then transferred to the Israeli-occupied territories.

They included 13 women and child captives, some with dual citizenship. Hamas also released 10 Thai captives as well as one Filipino as the total number of Gaza captives released hit 24.

In a statement on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani said, “Since the first week of the Zionist regime’s war on Gaza and following requests from Thai officials…the issue was jointly pursued by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar.”

A list of the names of these captives was provided to Hamas officials to examine the issue from a humanitarian perspective, he said.

The spokesperson explained that the Iranian and Thai foreign ministers held phone talks and a meeting in the Qatari capital of Doha, where the Thai officials have called for Iran’s help to facilitate the release of the captives.

Kan’ani said the Thai officials have considered the request and a number of the Thai prisoners were released following the establishment of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters, “We have provided lists since the beginning to everyone,” including Qatar, Egypt, Israel and Iran.”

The spokesperson said, “Different actors would have different influence on Hamas.”

Thailand’s government says 20 of its nationals are still being held by Hamas.

During a four-day truce, at least 50 captives are expected to be freed, leaving an estimated 190 other captives in Gaza. In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners were to be released, all women and teenage boys.