Five Thai nationals who were released from captivity in Gaza have been granted Israeli resident status as a gesture, according to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel. The move was discussed in a meeting between Arbel and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. The two ministers also discussed expanding the agreement between the two nations into other employment sectors within Israel. The gesture has been opposed by anti-immigration activists who argue that it would force the released captives to stay in Israel instead of returning home. The bodies of two Thai citizens who were killed during the kidnapping remain in the hands of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.