The bodies of two Thai men, killed yesterday by Hamas rockets in the southern Israeli region of Eshkol, will be sent home to Thailand, while the other eight wounded Thai workers have been hospitalized, with some already discharged, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) today.

The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has coordinated with Thailand’s provincial labour authorities to notify the families of the deceased and the wounded, two of whom were seriously injured, and will proceed with repatriating the bodies to Thailand. Compensation and benefits, to which the victims or their families are entitled, will be arranged by the National Insurance Institute, said MFA Spokesperson Tanee Sangrat.

The two men are identified as Weerawat Karanborirak, 44, from Phetchabun province, and Sikharin Sangamram, 24, from Buriram province, according to Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin.

Calling the attack “the most serious impact on Thai workers in Israel since the Israel-Palestine conflict erupted,” Mr. Thani said the eight wounded Thais were admitted to a hospital in the city of Beer Sheva, with those who have recovered being discharged, and that the Thai ambassador has been in contact with the injured.

The incident occurred while the victims were working in the packing section of the Ohad agricultural estate, or moshav.

The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has reminded Thai workers in Israel to comply strictly with the Israeli government’s measures, stay informed and seek shelter when hearing sirens.

Eshkol is 14 kilometres from the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of Thais have been working in Israel in recent years.

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