Israeli authorities have confirmed the identification of the remains of Sonthaya Oakkharasr, a Thai national who was murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri during the October 7, 2023, massacre and whose body was subsequently taken captive to Gaza.
Military representatives informed Oakkharasr’s family today, Sunday, after forensic experts completed the identification process on remains returned by Hamas last night as part of the ongoing agreement. The 30-year-old agricultural worker's death was officially confirmed by the military in May 2024.
Oakkharasr's return marks the second set of deceased hostage remains to be confirmed and identified from the recent transfer from Gaza. The return of the bodies is a key component of the current mediated agreement.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement sharing in the family's pain.
"The IDF shares in the family’s grief, continues to invest all efforts in bringing back the fallen hostages, and is preparing for the continued implementation of the agreement," the military stated.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also issued a formal statement, extending the country's condolences.
"Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Oakkharasr family, of the Thai people, and of all the families of the fallen hostages," the PMO said.
