Old Munitions Blast Injures Six Thai Workers in Northern Israel

Six Thai migrant workers were injured on Tuesday when old munitions exploded in an orchard near the town of Metula in northern Israel, close to the border with Lebanon, where fighting has been ongoing for months. Thailand's Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident, with two of the workers sustaining serious injuries that required surgery.

The workers were taken to Ziv Medical Center in Safed, where Thailand's ambassador has already visited to offer assistance. The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv is coordinating with the hospital and other agencies to ensure proper care and compensation for the injured.

Thailand has a significant presence in Israel, with over 40,000 workers, mostly employed in agriculture. Many come from rural areas with limited job prospects, seeking to send money home to their families.

This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by Thai workers in the region. In the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, Thais were the largest group of foreigners taken hostage, with 31 captured, 28 returned alive, and three killed. Thirty-nine other Thais lost their lives in that assault, and a few have died in northern Israel since then. Many Thai agricultural workers lived in compounds on the outskirts of southern Israeli communities, which were among the first overrun by militants.

Following the 2023 attack, many Thai workers returned home, but a large number have since come back to Israel to resume their work.