Thai Farmers Recall The Heartbreaking Tale of the Deadly Hamas Massacre: A Story of Hostage Suffering
Brave Thai farmers bear physical scars and emotional trauma after enduring a horrific attack at an Israeli poultry farm As families anxiously await news of their loved ones held hostage, reports suggest that aid groups and authorities consider this incident as just another day of work for Thai workers
30-year-old Withawat Kunwong gently touches the side of his neck, unveiling a web of uneven scars that he acquired while working at a poultry farm in southern Israel. As he recalls the events of October 7, when a massive group of Hamas militants breached Israel's border defenses, Kunwong's wound resonates with the excruciating memories of fear and trauma he experienced during this unforeseen assault.
Livestreaming from the agrarian community of Holit kibbutz near the Gaza Strip, the farm worker had his peaceful day interrupted when deafening explosions resonated and dark billowing smoke filled the sky, accompanied by rockets soaring above.
Recalling the distressing event, he vividly remembered seeking refuge for hours until an encounter with a Palestinian individual, disguised in civilian clothing, who attempted to harm him by wielding a kitchen knife, all because he resisted surrendering. A brutal struggle ensued.
On October 12, 2023, a group of Thai migrant farm workers arrived in Bangkok from Tel Aviv following a government evacuation. They were among the fifteen Thai nationals who had been rescued from high-risk areas in Israel. The evacuation was prompted by recent attacks carried out by Palestinian militants, resulting in the loss of hundreds of civilian lives and the capture of over a hundred hostages, including two Thai citizens who were killed and fourteen who were taken captive. These Thai nationals, who primarily worked as migrant farmers near the Gaza border, were part of the approximately 30,000 Thai residents in Israel, with more than 5,000 requesting evacuation.
Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
Thai deaths in Hamas massacre spotlight poor agricultural workers from Asia who toil in Israels fields
Kunwong was left critically injured, bleeding profusely from a throat wound, after a brutal altercation with his assailant. Fortunately, he was discovered and received aid from fellow migrant workers. Despite the pain and suffering he endured, he credits his survival to the fact that the knife used against him was dull and broken. Reflecting on the incident, he shared with CNN, "The attacker couldn't complete the task. Though this injury remains painful, the emotional pain runs even deeper."
His story tragically exemplifies the devastating human impact of the continuing conflict, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives in Israel and Gaza, and the displacement of over a million individuals in the territories controlled by Hamas. Although Hamas labels their violent actions as an attack on Israel, it should be noted that a significant number of those who were killed or taken captive by the militant group were also foreign citizens.
Last week, the Israeli Government Press Office released an estimate stating that there are currently 135 hostages with foreign passports from 25 different countries being held in the Gaza Strip. Many of those who have been killed or kidnapped are migrant laborers like Kunwong, hailing from Asian countries such as Thailand, Nepal, and the Philippines. These individuals were primarily working in Israel's southern district near the Gaza strip and were vulnerable when they were targeted by Hamas militants.
Thailand has long been a significant provider of migrant labor for Israel, with a large number of Thai nationals working in the country.
According to data released by the Thai government, the ongoing conflict has tragically resulted in the death of at least 32 Thai citizens, highlighting one of the highest casualties among foreign nationals.
Yahel Kurlander, an academic from Tel-Hai College in northern Israel, who has conducted significant research on labor issues in Israel's agriculture industry, emphasized the importance of not exploiting any worker, whether they are Israeli or Thai.
Collaborating with aid organizations on-site, Kurlander noted that although the majority of Thai workers in Israel are currently in a secure situation, ensuring the well-being of their families back home is a central concern. These workers experience pressure from both ends.
"The Thai government is urging them to evacuate and depart from Israel, while there is also significant pressure from the Israeli side, urging them to stay. They are being promised additional financial incentives in exchange for their presence," Kurlander stated, emphasizing that they should be compensated.
Emotional scenes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on October 12 as Thais returning from Israel were reunited with anxious loved ones
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
There is no indication that the war in Israel's agricultural, construction, and healthcare sectors will ease soon for migrant laborers. The UN has issued a warning about the deteriorating civil order in Gaza after weeks of siege and bombardment, and heavy fighting persists on a daily basis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to Israel's expanded ground operation in Gaza as the "next stage of war."
Palestinians endured what they deemed to be the most severe and intense series of airstrikes to date, seeking refuge in hospitals to shield themselves from the barrage of attacks. Emergency services were hampered and families were unable to communicate due to a blackout in communications. However, some communication channels were reinstated on Sunday morning. On the Israeli side of the border, numerous kibbutz farm fields once targeted by Hamas now reverberate with the sound of tank artillery fire and howitzers bombarding the densely populated area.
Business as usual for Thai workers, aid groups say
The Thai government has urged for the immediate release of the remaining individuals who are currently being held in Gaza. As per the data disclosed by Thai authorities to CNN, at least 33 Thai nationals have tragically lost their lives, leaving 18 still captive as of October 26th.
"We strongly urge the immediate release of the remaining hostages, including our fellow citizens," emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. He further emphasized that the victims who were kidnapped and killed were primarily agricultural workers seeking a livelihood and were not involved in the ongoing conflict.
Similar to numerous Thai migrant workers in Israel, Kunwong hails from Udon Thani, one of Thailand's most impoverished provinces. Life in Udon Thani is a stark contrast to the bustling streets and air-conditioned shopping centers of Bangkok. Job opportunities are scarce and wages are significantly lower, prompting many individuals to seek employment thousands of miles away from their homes.
According to families interviewed by CNN, Thai migrant workers in Israel are facing pressure to fulfill their labor contracts, which require a minimum of five years of work, despite the ongoing conflict. This commitment places a significant burden on the workers as they strive to financially support their families back in Thailand. Organizations like Aid for Agricultural Workers (AAW), which advocate for the rights of foreign migrants, have drawn attention to the "extreme challenges" faced by these workers and assert that the situation in Israel remains unchanged, with business operations continuing as usual.
Zohar Shvartzberg from AAW expressed concern about a growing number of laborers being coerced into returning to their previous workplaces to receive their September wages, which happened before the initial Hamas attack. While understanding the challenges faced by farmers and farming communities due to the labor shortage, she firmly believed that no individual should be compelled to stay where they feel unsafe. In light of the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv announcing daily rescue flights, Shvartzberg noted the possibility of Thai workers experiencing heightened pressure to remain and work, potentially through unethical and illegal methods.
The parents of Manee Jirachart, spoke to CNN about their 29 year old son still missing
CNN
Kunwong was one of the more fortunate Thai workers who made it out of Israel and has reunited with his wife and young daughter in Udon Thani.
The hope of the family of Manee Jirachart, a 29-year-old Thai worker, who had previously shared their story with CNN, remains fervent that their son will be able to return home safely. Manee had served as a cleaner at a government office located in southern Israel, close to Gaza, for almost five years prior to being abducted and held captive by militants from Hamas.
Speaking to CNN from the blue painted home Manees wages helped pay for, his father Chumporn made a tearful plea.
"I have no words," he said. "I just want my son back."
