The release of five Thai nationals who Hamas took hostage during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel occurred on Thursday. When released from Hamas’s captivity the workers displayed Thai national flags during their exit from Tel Aviv while being among the 31 Thai workers seized by militants during their assault. The number of freed Thai nationals stands at 23 while two of their kind were confirmed dead and search efforts continue for the remaining captive. Forty-six Thai nationals have met their death in the conflict with two Thais passing away while being held captive by Hamas.
Before the attack Israel counted Thailand as its biggest destination for agricultural foreign labor because it hosted over 30,000 Thai laborers. These migrant workers come from financially disadvantaged areas of Thailand because local wages surpass their home earnings. The workers face ongoing criticism about their labor situations since reports have shown unfit living quarters alongside dangerous working sites and salaries under Israel’s base wage standards.
The Hamas attack resulted in 7,000 Thai workers going back to their homeland yet Israel still offers higher salaries which brings fresh laborers into the country. The shortage of workers in Israel led to official programs that offer prolonged visa permits and recurring cash benefits for work-seeking foreigners. The Labor Ministry of Thailand approved approximately 4,000 laborers to return to Israel in 2024 as the country continues to draw scores of migrant workers from Thailand. 
The ongoing conflict brings light to the prisoner swap yet the situation for Thai employees in Israel demands immediate attention.
