12 Thais, 10 Nepalese killed in Hamas attacks across southern Israel
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More than 1,100 people have been killed in the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK – At least 12 Thais and 10 Nepalis have been killed in the ongoing unrest in Israel
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachoke told reporters on Monday that apart from the 12 killed, eight Thais have been wounded, while 11 have been taken hostage.
“We are working to help all Thai citizens in Israel,” she said.
There are around 30,000 Thais in Israel, according to Bangkok’s Labour Ministry, with many of them working in agriculture.
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said Israeli forces have begun to move workers away from danger zones.
“There are 1,099 who have registered to return home,” he said in an interview on Thai television. “We have about 5,000 labourers working in the fighting zone.”
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jakkapong Sangmanee said nearly 1,500 Thais had requested evacuation. The first group is expected to leave on Wednesday.
“The first group that we will evacuate will be injured people who already left the risk area,” he told reporters.
Thailand is working with other countries with links to the Palestinians to secure the release of its citizens taken hostage. These countries include Malaysia, Jordan and Egypt.
More than 1,100 people have been killed
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin condemned the attack on Israel.
Nepal also said on Monday that at least 10 of its nationals have been killed in Israel. The Foreign Ministry said four Nepalis were also wounded in Saturday’s attack, and media reports said many others were hiding in bunkers.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has convened a special Cabinet meeting to discuss ways to get Nepalese back home, his office said.
“Arrangements are being made to evacuate Nepali nationals who want to return home from Israel,” the Foreign Ministry said late on Sunday.
Officials say about 4,500 Nepalis work in Israel, mostly as caregivers, and more than 100 are studying there under an “earn and learn” programme.
Meanwhile, the Philippines reported that 20 Filipinos in Israel have been rescued in towns where Hamas and Israeli forces have skirmished.
The Foreign Ministry in Manila said it was investigating a report from a Filipino woman who said she recognised her husband as one of the men being held hostage in a video circulating on social media.
It said six Filipinos remained missing.
“The (Philippine) embassy (in Tel Aviv) is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities and community contacts to ascertain their condition,” the ministry said.
There are more than 24,800 Filipinos in Israel. The ministry said it is trying to evacuate 137 Filipinos currently in Gaza to Amman, Jordan. AFP, REUTERS
