They include Wichai Kalapat, who was initially thought to be among the Thai nationals killed in the Hamas raid of 7 October but his girlfriend received word last week that he was being held hostage in Gaza. She told the BBC she was “so happy” because she did not think he would be among those who were released.
Doron Katz Asher, 34, and her two daughters Raz, four, and Aviv, two, were taken captive while staying with relatives near the Gaza border. Doron’s husband, Yoni, saw a video of his wife and daughters being loaded on to a truck with other hostages. He also traced Doron’s mobile phone to Gaza.
“I am determined to bring about the resurrection of my family from the trauma and the terrible bereavement we went through,” Mr Asher told the BBC following their release.
“I don’t celebrate, I won’t celebrate until the last of the kidnapped returns,” he said