Six Thai hostages return home after release by Hamas

Six Thai hostages kidnapped and held for weeks in the Gaza Strip by Hamas arrived back in Thailand on Monday, officials said. Tens of thousands of Thais were working in Israel, mostly in the agricultural sector.

At least 32 Thais were abducted by Hamas, with Bangkok's foreign ministry and Thai Muslim groups working to negotiate their release. Seventeen returned last week and six arrived back after weeks in captivity on Monday.

Since their release by Hamas, the six have been recuperating at a hospital in Israel as authorities made preparations to fly them home. Another nine Thais are still among the hostages taken by Palestinian militants, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.