Six Thai hostages kidnapped and held for weeks in the Gaza Strip by Hamas arrived back in the kingdom, officials said, AFP reports.

At least 32 Thais were taken by Hamas, with Bangkok’s foreign ministry and Thai Muslim groups working to negotiate their release. 17 Thai hostages returned last week. They were released during a temporary truce that saw scores of people released before it expired on December 1.

Since their release by Hamas, the six have been recuperating at a hospital in Israel as authorities made preparations to fly them home.

Five of the former hostages are expected to transfer immediately to their home cities around the kingdom, according to the foreign ministry.

Another nine Thais are still among the hostages taken by Palestinian fighters, according to Bangkok’s foreign ministry.