Thai nationals make up the largest single group of foreigners killed or missing following the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. According to a Reuters report, 24 Thais have been confirmed dead and 21 remain unaccounted for. The number being held captive by Hamas has risen to 54.
In total, Hamas are believed to be holding 220 people captive and over half of those hold foreign passports from 25 different countries, according to the Israeli government. A total of 328 people from 40 countries have been confirmed as dead or missing, according to updated figures from Israeli officials.
Many of those being held hostage by Hamas are believed to hold dual Israeli nationality, the one known exception being the Thai workers being held captive, along with 5 Nepalese nationals. According to the Reuters report, the hostages also include one Chinese national, one from Sri Lanka, two from Tanzania, and two from the Philippines.
Thailand provides Israel with a significant number of migrant labourers, with around 30,000 Thais working in the country’s agricultural sector.
PM Srettha Thavisin says the government is still working to secure the release of all Thai hostages, as well as repatriating other Thai nationals who’ve registered to come home.
SOURCE: Reuters
