IDF reservist freed after eight months in Thai detention

An Israel Defense Forces reservist, identified as A., was released from detention in Thailand after eight months, following his arrest during his honeymoon in November. He was convicted on weapons charges after a loaded magazine, unknowingly borrowed in a travel bag from a fellow reservist, was found by Thai authorities upon arrival in Phuket, though it was undetected at Ben-Gurion Airport. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with A. and his family, congratulating them and thanking them for their service, stating, "Thank you for not leaving us behind." Netanyahu also credited Gal Hirsch, coordinator for hostages and missing persons, for leading efforts to secure the release, leveraging contacts developed during the release of Thai hostages from Hamas.