Israel: Money to clear debts or safety – migrant workers looking to leave face difficult choice

Thousands of kilometres from home, Thai labourer Kamlue was on his way to harvest courgettes on an Israeli farm near the Gaza border on October 7 when the truck he was riding on came under heavy fire.

“They launched a relentless barrage of gunfire from every direction,” he said, asking not to use his full name as he recounted his escape from the Hamas attack.

The driver of the truck managed to steer it to a safe position, but Kamlue was among several workers who were wounded.

“I was shot in my right leg, and I’m still recovering from the injury,” said the 41-year-old, who returned to Thailand on a repatriation flight organised by the Thai government but plans to return to Israel to work to help clear his debts once the security situation improves.

According to Thailand, at least 30 of its nationals – mostly farm workers – were killed, 16 wounded and 17 were among those taken hostage during the rampage by the Hamas militant group in Israeli towns that killed about 1,400 people, most of them civilians, earlier this month.

Four Filipino careworkers were among those killed and two more are missing, officials said.

Israel has responded to the Hamas attack by pounding Gaza with air strikes, killing thousands, and has vowed...

Read more