Thai workers in Israel urged to shelter amid Hezbollah threat

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) alerted approximately 2,000 Thai nationals working in northern Israel to the potential threat of an attack from Hezbollah, a group allied with the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. These individuals have been urged to seek shelter in bunkers for their safety.

Nikorndej Balankura, the MFA spokesperson, issued this warning yesterday in response to rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and the possible escalation of conflict in the region.

Israeli troops have disclosed their operation in Beirut, Lebanon, aimed at targeting those responsible for an attack on Majdal Sham City, which resulted in the deaths of 12 children on July 27.

The Israeli Security Unit has assessed the likelihood of Hezbollah launching retaliatory missile attacks on key cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. Consequently, the Israeli army has advised residents in northern Israel to avoid social gatherings and cancel any non-essential activities until further notice.

Nikorndej mentioned that the Royal Thai Embassy in Israel has instructed Thai workers near the Israel-Lebanon border to exercise caution and adhere to local officials’ guidelines. The embassy has already issued a warning about the situation and urged Thai nationals to remain in bunkers.

“We also ask them to avoid travelling in risky areas. The Thai embassy has not yet received any evacuation requests from Thais in the area, but we have an emergency evacuation plan in place. We are collaborating closely with Israel.”

The ministry is prioritising the safety of Thai nationals in Israel and has advised them to leave if necessary, reported Bangkok Post.

There are three stages of warnings: closely monitoring the situation and staying in bunkers, evacuation by Israeli officials, and evacuation by the Royal Thai Embassy. As of now, the situation remains at stage one.

In related news, the UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting amid regional tensions as Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr were assassinated.