PRIME MINISTER Sretta Thavisin said in a post published on X, formerly Twitter, this afternoon (Oct. 28) that as Israeli forces have intensified their ground operation along the Gaza Strip with the war likely expanding Thais in Israel should change their minds and return home immediately, Matichon newspaper said.
The government is extremely concerned about the safety of Thais in Israel because an expansion of the war to new areas could affect travel within the country and immigration, he said.
“Relatives in Thailand please urge the workers who are still in Israel to change their minds and come back as soon as possible,” Srettha said.
Those wishing to return were told to immediately go to the evacuation shelter, which is David InterContinental Hotel in Tel Aviv, telephone number 050-443-8094, or contact the Thai embassy at 055-271-2201, 053-245-2826 or 054-636-8150.
Israel said today (Oct. 28) it is expanding its ground operation in Gaza with infantry and armoured vehicles backed by “massive” strikes from the air and sea, including the bombing of Hamas tunnels — a key target in its campaign to crush the territory’s ruling group after its bloody incursion in southern Israel three weeks ago, according to an AP report published by ABC News.
Israel also knocked out communications in Gaza, creating a near-blackout of information from the besieged enclave and largely cutting off the territory’s 2.3 million people from the outside world.
On Saturday, the Israeli military released grainy images of tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers.
“The forces are still on the ground and are continuing the war,” said the army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, indicating that the next stage has begun in what is expected to evolve into an all-out ground offensive in northern Gaza.
Early in the war, Israel had already amassed hundreds of thousands of troops along the border. Until now, troops had conducted brief nightly ground incursions before returning to Israel.
Hagari said the ground forces were backed by what he described as massive strikes from the air and sea. He said two more key Hamas military commanders were killed overnight, arguing that Israel was facing a “weakened” enemy. There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas.
Communications in Gaza were knocked out by Israel’s intense bombardment late Friday, enabling the military to largely control the narrative during a key new phase in fighting. Palestinians were thrown into isolation, huddling in homes and shelters with food and water supplies running out. Electricity was knocked out by Israel in the early stages of the war.
The loss of internet and phones dealt a further blow to a medical and aid system that relief workers say was already on the verge of collapse under Israel’s weekslong seal. More than 1.4 million people have fled their homes, nearly half crowding into UN schools and shelters. Aid workers say the trickle of aid Israel has allowed to enter from Egypt the past week is a tiny fraction of what is needed.
Gaza hospitals have been scrounging for fuel to run emergency generators that power incubators and other life-saving equipment.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which runs an extensive network of shelters and schools for nearly half the displaced Gaza residents, has lost contact with most of its staff, spokeswoman Juliette Touma said on Saturday. The overnight airstrikes were “the worst and most intensive yet,” she said, adding that coordinating aid efforts was now “extremely challenging.”
CAPTIONS:
Top: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin against a backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war. Photo: Matichon
First insert: Palestinians arrive to collect drinking water during the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Rafah on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Photo: AP Photo/Hatem Ali and published by ABC News
Front Page: A grab from AFP TV shows fireballs in Gaza City during Israeli strikes. Photo: AFP and published by CNA
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