PUBLISHED : 2 Nov 2023 at 05:00
Hamas representatives have promised Thai negotiators that Thai hostages captured in Israel will be released when Israel ends its offensive in the Gaza Strip where they are being held, according to a Thai Shia Muslim leader.
Saiyid Sulaiman Husaini, leader of an association of Shia Muslims in Thailand, said on Tuesday the commitment was made at talks between negotiators appointed by Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and Hamas representatives at the office of an adviser to the president of Iran.
The negotiation team comprised Areepen Utarasin, Lerpong Sayed and Sayyid Mumin Sakkitticha.
Two to three rounds of talks were carried out, marking the completion of the negotiations for the release of the Thai hostages, said Mr Saiyid.
Mr Areepen, an adviser to the parliament president, later confirmed the talks, which he said were held in Tehran last Thursday.
According to Mr Saiyid, Hamas agreed to free Thai hostages being held in the Gaza Strip when Israel halts its offensive or agrees to a ceasefire. Until then, it is not safe for them to leave Gaza, he said.
Hamas confirmed that it is holding 19 Thai hostages, he said. All are safe and in good health.
He said Hamas has yet to confirm the names of three other Thais who the Foreign Ministry reported were also taken captive.
According to Mr Saiyid, the only possible evacuation channel was the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the far south of the Gaza Strip. The Thai government might have to seek approval and assistance from Egypt for this, he said.
Mr Areepen, speaking in parliament yesterday, confirmed his group met Hamas representatives last Thursday.
He said the Hamas representatives said the Thai hostages were being well protected so they could later tell the international community about their living conditions and fair treatment with Hamas.
Hamas promised to release the Thais soon, but would not say when, he said.
According to the Hamas representatives, announcing a schedule could trigger an attack, which could cause a misunderstanding that Hamas hurt the hostages, Mr Areepen said.
He said his delegation held negotiations in Tehran because Iran was a supporter of Hamas and had influence over it. He said his delegation was the first to have official talks with the group since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct 7.
The parliament president’s coordination team now remains in Iran waiting to further coordinate the expected release of the Thai hostages, while Mr Wan also intends to travel to Iran to meet the hostages if they are released as promised, said Mr Areepen.
Muk Suleiman, Mr Wan’s secretary, urged Thai people to accept Hamas will honour its promise.