The brutal impact of Hamas’ deadly attacks is being felt far away from Israel
3:45 a.m. ET, October 13, 2023
Like his father Chumporn and dozens of other able-bodied men from their village in northeast Thailand, Manee Jirachart moved to Israel in search of work, dreaming of a better life. Jobs were hard to come by within his rural community, so when Manee found a cleaning position at a government office in southern Israel near the Gaza border, it seemed like a real opportunity.
He had been working that job for nearly five years when he was abducted and taken hostage last weekend by Hamas militants involved in the murder and kidnapping rampage within Israel. The 29-year-old was just one of the scores of foreigners who became caught up in the attack that has devastated families around the world.
But among many of the foreigners killed and captured by Hamas were also migrant workers from Asia, without familial links to either Israel or the Palestinian Territories, who hail from mostly poor, rural families and work in the country’s agricultural, construction, and healthcare sectors. So far, at least 21 Thai nationals have been killed as of Thursday, according to Thai authorities, with at least 14 others believed to have been captured by Hamas, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed.
“Thailand has dominated the foreign migrant worker market in Israeli agriculture for the past decade,” said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. “As many as 20,000 Thai workers were living on various remote farms and desert areas all over Israel, including areas close to the Gaza Strip, so it isn’t surprising at all that many were right in harm’s way when Hamas fighters arrived.”
These attacks have highlighted the vulnerability of migrant workers who often seek employment opportunities abroad due to limited options in their home countries. The victims’ families back in Thailand are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones and are now calling for greater protection for migrant workers.
The Thai government has been in contact with Israeli authorities to facilitate the safe return of the captured migrant workers and to provide support to the families of those who lost their lives. The incident has sparked outrage in Thailand, with protests demanding justice for the victims and improved safety measures for Thai workers abroad.
The international community has also condemned these brutal attacks, with various countries expressing their condolences and solidarity with the affected families. Efforts are underway to hold Hamas accountable for their actions and prevent further harm to innocent lives.
As the world mourns the loss of these migrant workers and prays for the safe return of those still in captivity, it is a somber reminder of the far-reaching consequences of violence and conflict. The impact of Hamas’ deadly attacks is being felt not just in Israel but also in communities far away, where families are grieving and demanding justice for their loved ones.