Photo released by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thai workers released by Hamas (French)

The release of Thai prisoners by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) sparked widespread attention on social media platforms, with some surprised by their presence due to Israel's disregard for them in its statements, and raised questions about their presence in illegal settlements.

Hamas had released a group of prisoners in the first two days of exchanges that led to the four-day temporary truce in the Gaza Strip, stressing that they were outside the number agreed with Israel, and that the matter was fully done with the mediators.

The Thai Foreign Ministry expressed its thanks for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, Iran and Malaysia, which led to the release of their nationals, stressing that it will work to return them to Thailand as soon as possible.

Thai Prime Minister Srita Tavisen praised the mediation efforts that contributed to the release of his citizens, stressing that all of them are in good health and none of them needed urgent medical care.

ผมรู้สึกดีใจเป็นอย่างยิ่งที่ได้ทราบข่าวการยืนยันกาุ 10ปล่อยตัวประกันของพี่น้องแรงงานไทยทั้ง 8 ราย ที่ปัจจุ บันรักษาตัวอยู่ที่โรงพยาบาล Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) ในอิสราเอล ภายใต้กาุ <>ดูแลประสานงานของกระทรวงต่างประเทศอย่างใกล้ชิดครับ... pic.twitter.com/lrVyHsObM<>

— Srettha Thavisin (@Thavisin) November 25, 2023

The sister of one of the released Thais confirmed in a press interview that he was not assaulted or tortured, was well fed while in Gaza, and was in a house and not in a tunnel.

Questions and answers

The release of prisoners sparked widespread attention through platforms, as bloggers valued the Palestinian initiative to release them with the first batches of prisoners, and others denounced the lack of Israeli negotiations for them, despite the fact that they are workers in its illegal settlements, for which it is responsible.

British parliamentarian Diana Abbott commented, "Along with the other hostages, Hamas also released 10 Thai men and one Filipino. Strangely, no one has mentioned them before, but the lives of all human beings matter."

With the other hostages Hamas has also released 10 Thai men and 1 Filipino. Strange that nobody mentioned them before. But all human life is valuable #HostageRelease pic.twitter.com/VimDVLjtaw

— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) November 24, 2023

American journalist Michael Tracy wondered why Israel ignored these prisoners, noting that they did not talk about them, their stories did not receive global attention, and posters carrying their pictures were scarce.

Never seen any of these newly released Thai hostages on any of the posters plastered everywhere pic.twitter.com/OncCLaJaSh

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) November 25, 2023

Journalist Anja Parambel responded to the same question by saying that the international media only cares about Israelis, and the second reason is that they are just workers serving in kibbutzim.

We hardly heard about the Thai and Filipino hostages because 1) the media do not care about non-Israeli lives and 2) they're de facto indentured servants on kibbutzim https://t.co/XSwHrvlAv4

— Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) November 25, 2023

The spectacle of Hamas releasing Thai prisoners has raised the question of why they are in these illegal settlements, with some suggesting that Israel brings them in as cheap labor and relies on them for much of its industry.

You might be asking "Wait why are there Thai prisoners?" and the answer is that segments of the Israel economy including agriculture are dependent if not outright reliant on the hyper-exploitation of Palestinian and foreign labor. https://t.co/OFy2Hzzntr

— James Ray 🔻 (@GoodVibePolitik) November 25, 2023

Source : Al Jazeera + Social Media