Israeli forces have recovered the body of Natthapong Pinta, a Thai national who had been abducted and killed in captivity by the terror group Kataeb al-Mujahideen, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli Security Agency (ISA). The operation took place in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip following the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023. Pinta’s family in Thailand was informed by the Thai Embassy and Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, who coordinates for Captives and Missing Persons in the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the efforts of soldiers and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to retrieving all hostages. He expressed his condolences to Pinta’s family, stating that their pain is shared by the entire nation, and that the military continues its dedicated mission to bring back all captives. The recovery of Pinta’s body marks a significant step in providing closure for his family after nearly two years of uncertainty.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement, noting that the recovery of Pinta’s body fulfilled a moral obligation, allowing his family the closure they urgently needed. The forum expressed solidarity with the family and acknowledged the immense pain they have endured. The organization also highlighted the importance of bringing certainty to families so they can begin the process of healing. As of now, fifty-five hostages remain in Gaza, with thirty-three confirmed dead and at least twenty believed to be alive, though their whereabouts remain uncertain.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has reported ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the remaining captives in Gaza. The Israeli military’s report on the events of October 7 has highlighted the complexity and gravity of the situation, urging international attention to the humanitarian crises unfolding in the region. This case of Natthapong Pinta further underscores the human cost of the conflict and the relentless efforts by the Israeli military to recover all detainees and bring them back to their families.