A Thai citizen was injured and there are, as yet, unconfirmed reports that two others have been kidnapped in attacks launched on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Saturday, according to the spokesperson of the Thai Foreign Ministry.
Kanchana Patarachoke said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered the Royal Thai Air Force to put military aircraft on stand-by, for the possible emergency evacuation of Thai nationals from Israel.
At least 198 people were 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 national, at an agricultural settlement at Mivtahim, about 8km from the Gaza strip, where some of the heaviest fighting took place, was injured.
She said the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has received an initial report that two Thais might have been kidnapped, but this has yet to be officially verified by Israeli authorities.
Kanchana said an emergency meeting will be held tomorrow (Sunday) with related government agencies, 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, condemning what she said was an 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 the Thai people “to join us in prayer for the souls of those who have tragically lost their lives and for a swift end to this violence.”
