Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the leaders of 17 countries have issued a joint statement calling for the immediate release of all hostages, including 8 Thai nationals, still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

In his “X” post on Thursday, the prime minister said he views the release of all the remaining hostages as an urgent humanitarian issue and will continue to do his utmost for the safe release of the Thai hostages.

Twenty-three other Thais, who worked on Israel’s farms, have already been released.

According to an AFP report on February 12, some 101 hostages are believed to still be alive. These include 91 Israelis or dual nationals, eight Thais, one Nepali and one French-Mexican. So far, 112 of the initial group of 253 hostages taken have been released.

Hama militants are also holding the bodies of 29 people, including at least 18 who died in the October 7 attacks last year and whose bodies were taken to Gaza. The attacks by Hamas on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to AFP and based on official figures.

During a seven-day truce last November, 105 hostages were exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.