One Thai worker was injured and two others were reported to have been kidnapped in attacks launched by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel on Saturday, according to the spokesperson of the Thai Foreign Ministry.
Kanchana Patarachoke said Prime Minsiter Srettha Thavisin, meanwhile, has ordered the Royal Thai Air Force to have military aircrafts on stand-by for possible emergency evacuation of Thai workers in Israel.
At least 198 people have been killed and 1,610 wounded in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza during Israel’s retaliation after a deadly multi-pronged attack by Hamas forces into Israel, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.
Kanchana confirmed that one Thai work at an agriculture settlement at Mivtahim, about 8 km from the Gaza strip where the heavy fighting took place, was injured.
She said the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has received an initial report that two Thai workers might have been kidnapped but it has yet to be officially verified by Israeli authorities.
Kanchana said an emergency meeting will be held tomorrow with government agencies concerned at the Foreign Ministry to evaluate the situation.
The Foreign Ministry has set up a special 24-hour phone line to provide information on the situation at 02-572-8422.
Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Orna Sagiv issued a press statement this evening to condemn what she said was unprovoked attack on Israel.
“At this critical juncture, we implore the international community to stand in solidarity with Israel as we strive for peace and security in the face of adversity,” she said.
She also asked Thai people “to join us in a prayer for the souls of those who have tragically lost their lives, and for a swift end to this violence.”
