An Israel Defense Forces reservist was released from detention in Thailand on Saturday after eight months in custody, the Prime Minister's Office announced.
The reservist and his wife, also an IDF officer, had traveled to Phuket in November for a honeymoon following extended reserve duty service. Before departure, the reservist borrowed a travel bag from a fellow reservist that contained a loaded magazine, which went undetected at Ben-Gurion International Airport but was discovered by Thai authorities upon arrival.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the reservist and his family following the release. He congratulated the couple on their return, thanked them for their service and stated that the government would continue working on behalf of its citizens worldwide.
Netanyahu also praised Gal Hirsch, his coordinator for hostages and missing persons, for leading the effort to secure the release. He thanked President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and security officials involved in the case.
The reservist had been sentenced to 18 months in prison on weapons charges. Following intervention by Israeli authorities, he was transferred to house arrest under electronic monitoring while his appeal was pending. After months of appeals proceedings, Netanyahu directed Hirsch to become personally involved and use his Thailand contacts to help secure the release.
The couple and their family told Netanyahu: "Thank you for doing everything possible to bring us back. It is heartwarming. Thank you for not leaving us behind."