On a somber note, tragedy struck near Metula, Israel’s northernmost town bordering Lebanon. It was here that the lives of four Thai agricultural workers were tragically cut short by rocket fire. A fifth Thai worker sustained injuries in the same incident, a harrowing account shared by Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on the social media platform X. With a heavy heart, he revealed the distressing news on Friday: “I instructed our embassy in Tel Aviv last night to extend all possible assistance to the injured and the families of the deceased, and to express my profound condolences to them for their immense loss,” read his poignant post.
In response to the tragic event, Labour Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn swiftly took action. On Friday, he directed the ministry’s permanent secretary, Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, to work closely with the labour attaché in Tel Aviv. The mission? To ensure the evacuation of all Thai workers from the volatile northern region of Israel to the comparatively safer southern areas. Moreover, Phiphat emphasized the need for labour officials to visit the bereaved families, extending both emotional support and much-needed compensation.
Reports indicated that two rockets struck open land near Metula, resulting in seven fatalities. Among those who lost their lives were an Israeli farmer and the four Thai workers, echoing last month’s grim incident where a Thai worker perished, and another was seriously injured due to an anti-tank rocket targeting the Kibbutz Yir’on Agricultural Estate in northern Israel.
The staggering loss of life is a painful reminder of the escalating conflict. Just last year, 41 Thai nationals were among the 1,200 people killed when Hamas militants launched a violent incursion across the Israeli borders. According to Israeli sources, the attack on October 7, 2023, saw 30 Thai nationals being abducted, with six still presumed captive till now, as reported by Thai authorities.
The Israeli military’s vigorous response has resulted in widespread devastation across the Palestinian territory of Gaza, claiming tens of thousands of lives, as the tumultuous chain of retaliation and aggression continues. More recently, Israeli forces have also targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah factions in Lebanon.
Amidst the chaos, the plight of the approximately 30,000 Thai nationals who chose Israel as their temporary home is deeply concerning. Mostly engaged within the agriculture sector, they constitute one of the largest groups of migrant workers in the region, facing the precariousness of their situation with fortitude and resilience.
While international voices echo calls for peace and stability, the reality remains grim with both Israel and Iran entrenched in a seemingly unending cycle of tit-for-tat hostilities. For the affected families both in Israel and Thailand, the hope for a quick resolution remains a passionate plea, as they grapple with the loss of their loved ones and the need to find solace amidst ongoing unrest.
ผมรับทราบด้วยความเศร้าใจอย่างยิ่งครับ ว่ามีชาวไทยสี่คนเสียชีวิตและอีกหนึ่งคนได้รับบาดเจ็บจากการยิงจรวดใกล้เมืองเมตูลา ใกล้ชายแดนอิสราเอล-เลบานอน ผมได้กำชับสถานเอกอัครราชทูตไทยในกรุงเทลอาวีฟเมื่อคืนให้ให้ความช่วยเหลือผู้ได้รับบาดเจ็บและครอบครัวของผู้เสียชีวิตอย่างเต็มกำลัง…
— Maris Sangiampongsa (@AmbPoohMaris) November 1, 2024
This is just heartbreaking. Why are innocent workers caught in this mess?
They shouldn’t be there in the first place. It’s a war zone!
They are just trying to make a living. Blaming them isn’t fair.
It’s a tragedy for sure, but accidents happen in combat zones.
These aren’t accidents when neglect plays a part.
The law of warfare can hardly protect non-combatants perfectly. Reality shows the flaws.
We should question why our embassies didn’t evacuate these workers sooner.
Blaming governments for every issue is easy but doesn’t always solve the problem.
True, but proactive measures could have saved lives here.
Israel has the right to defend itself. Don’t forget who started this!
But at what cost? Thousands of innocents are suffering.
Life is always lost in conflicted zones, it’s unavoidable.
Perhaps it’s time for international intervention on humanitarian grounds?
Intervention could just lead to more chaos, history repeats itself.
Not if managed properly; past mistakes don’t guarantee future failures.
Agreed, yet calculated risks with support might bring a sliver of hope.
It’s sad how quickly people forget about the human cost when they are not directly affected.
Desensitization through media overflow might be a big reason.
Media saturation is part of the problem, for sure.
The Thai workers should be relocated to safer grounds immediately.
Let’s channel our grief into actions that promote peace.
Economic hardship drives these workers into danger. Fix the root cause!
Aid and compensation are band-aids on a bigger problem. Stability is needed!
There’s a need for a ceasefire and dialogues; violence begets more violence.
It’s naive to think any side will back down easily. Too much has been invested in this war.
UN and global entities must assert more influence over de-escalation strategies.
One can only hope leaders prioritize lives over politics.
It’s not just the war; it’s how everyday people are ignored in policy decisions.