Twelve Thai hostages have been released from Gaza, the prime minister has said.

At least 26 Thai nationals were taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, mainly agricultural workers on the Gaza border. In total, 39 Thai nationals have been killed and three remain in hospital, according to officials.

On Friday Strettha Thavisin, Thailand’s prime minister, said almost half of the Thai nationals held in Gaza had been released.

“It has been confirmed by the security department and the ministry of foreign affairs that there are 12 Thai hostages already released,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Embassy officials are on their way to pick them up in another hour. Their names and details should be known. Please stay tuned.”

In recent weeks, Thai government representatives have met officials in Qatar and Egypt in an effort to secure the release of the hostages. They have also travelled to Iran. After those talks, lead negotiator Areepen Uttarasin stressed that Thai nationals were innocent.

“They assured me that they were taking good care of them, but they couldn’t tell me the release date. They were waiting for the right time,” he said, adding that the Thai team – who are all Muslims – prayed with the Hamas representatives they met with in Tehran.

Malaysia, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has been a vocal supporter of Palestine, has also assisted the release efforts.

Before the war 30,000 Thai workers were employed as agricultural workers in Israel with about 5,000 close to the Gaza border.

Many travelled to Israel from rural regions keen to earn a better living for their families.