Turkish intelligence brokers deal for return of Thai hostages
Turkish intelligence (MIT) negotiated with Palestinian Hamas for the release of five hostages from Thailand, who returned to Israel on Thursday, Turkish media reported, citing sources in security services.
According to media reports, Turkish MIT intelligence took action to secure the release of five hostages from Thailand who were held by Palestinian Hamas. The hostages returned to Israel on Thursday.
The actions of the Turkish intelligence were coordinated with the appropriate services in Thailand. The Daily Sabah portal reported that five Thai nationals were among a group of eight hostages who were released as part of an exchange, which was part of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip effective since 19 January. The Thais worked on Israeli farms.
Erdogan's meeting with Hamas
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara with a Hamas delegation, including one of the leaders, Muhammad Darwish. Erdogan emphasised that Hamas is not a terrorist organisation but a resistance movement.
Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in 2023, relations between Turkey and Israel have significantly deteriorated. Erdogan accused Israel of genocide and imposed an embargo on trade with the country.
Death of eight hostages
The Israeli government spokesman David Mencer recently announced that eight out of 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas have died, who were supposed to be released in the ongoing first phase of the ceasefire.
The ceasefire came into effect on 19 January, and its first phase will last until the beginning of March. According to the agreement, during this time, 33 hostages are to be exchanged for approximately 1,900 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails.
