It was confirmed that the hostage remains returned on Wednesday belonged to Sudthisak Rinthalak, thereby establishing Israeli police officer Ran Gvili as the last hostage in Gaza.
Rinthalak, a Thai national, was working in Israel to support his family in Thailand when he was killed during the October 7, 2023, attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Rinthalak’s body was taken from the orchards at Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the communities most severely affected in the massacre. His remains were subsequently transported into Gaza and held hostage by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second-largest terror organization in the enclave.
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister said in a statement that the repatriation of Rinthalak’s remains to Thailand for a proper burial would be conducted in coordination with the Thai Embassy in Israel.
“The government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the and all of fallen hostages’ families,” the statement read. “The Rinthalak family and Thai Ambassador to Israel Boonyarit Vichienpuntu asked to convey their deep gratitude and appreciation to the State of Israel for the efforts to return Sudthisak and for the continuous support provided to the family since the outbreak of the war.”
The office further stated that it and Israel’s Directorate for the Hostages and the Missing “are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return fighter and hero Master Sgt. Ran Gvili for a proper Jewish burial.”
Rinthalak was raised in Rattanawapi in Nong Khai province, and his family indicated that his favorite food was an omelet with tomatoes, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Rinthalak is survived by his brother and his parents.
Before his remains were returned to Israel, Rinthalak’s family had told Israeli news outlet Ynet that he said he would be coming home for good once he had saved a bit more money.
“About 10 days before October 7 was the last time we spoke,” Rinthalak’s mother, On, stated. “We asked him to come home to Thailand for a visit. We hadn’t seen him in many years, ever since he went to Israel for work. He told us he wanted to save a bit more money and then come home for good. Then October 7 happened and he was murdered. I want my son home as soon as possible. I wait for him every day.”
Gvili, who is the last hostage in Gaza, was killed in the October 7 attacks, and his body was taken into the Gaza Strip, where it has been held since the 2023 massacre.
“When this nightmare began, there were 255 hostages. Their families became one big family. We held each other through every unbearable moment. Every time someone returned, there was a feeling that part of us came back. And now we’re down to the last two in the . I’m terrified that after bringing so many home, my Ran will be left behind. There’s this crushing feeling I can’t shake: when is our turn?” Gvili’s mother, Talik, expressed in a op-ed.