Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its 2023 attack on Israel were released Thursday, while one remaining Thai citizen remains in captivity.

The father of a Thai farmhand who was held hostage in Gaza for 15 months could barely get the words out at hearing the news of his son’s release.

Among the seven hostages released by Hamas this week were five Thai nationals who had moved to Israel for work.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S.’s new Middle East envoy, has joined Israelis in Tel Aviv who have gathered to watch the hostage releases in what has become known as “Hostage Square,” according to images broadcast on Israeli television.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest coverage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

Thailand and Israel have expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said the countries share a mutual interest in establishing an FTA,

Five Thai farm workers who were abducted during the 7 October attacks by Hamas on Israel have been released after being held for almost 500 days in Gaza. They were handed over to the Red Cross during chaotic scenes along with two Israelis, shortly after a first Israeli hostage was freed.

Hamas freed three Israelis and five Thai nationals in exchange for more than 100 Palestinians. But the militant group struggled to control crowds, prompting a delay.

As Hamas released five Thai hostages on Thursday, it is important to note what so many Thai workers were doing in Israel. Israel welcomed migrant workers following the 1987-93 Palestinian revolt known as the first Intifada,

The five Thai agricultural workers - Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Lamnao - were taken to a hospital in central Israel for medical checks. They were met at the Shamir Medical Centre by Thailand's ...

Hamas has released three Israeli and five Thai captives in Gaza and Israel began releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners after delaying the process after crowds swarmed one of the captive handover points.