Thailand says four nationals have been killed near the Israel-Lebanon border

BANGKOK – Four Thai nationals were killed and one was injured by rocket fire near the town of Metula, close to the Lebanon-Israel border, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa posted on social media platform X on Friday.

Last year, 46 Thais were among 1,200 people killed when Hamas militants launched an attack across Israel’s borders, according to Thailand’s Foreign Ministry.

Thirty Thai nationals were kidnapped in the October 7, 2023 attack, and six are believed to still be in captivity, according to Thai authorities.

The Israeli response to the attack has since devastated the Palestinian territory of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of people. Israel has also launched attacks on the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Before the conflict, approximately 30,000 Thai nationals worked in Israel, mainly in the agricultural sector, making them one of the largest migrant worker groups in Israel.

“Thailand continues to strongly urge all parties to return to the path of peace, on behalf of the innocent civilians seriously affected by this protracted and deepening conflict,” said Thai Foreign Minister Maris. REUTERS