The Associated Press reported on April 14 that Iran had launched its first direct military attack against Israel.
Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war.
Iran had been threatening to attack Israel after an airstrike earlier this week widely blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals.
Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others, including Thai workers, eight of whom are still in Hamas captivity.
An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.
The Thai government issued a statement to warn Thai people in the Mideast region to be on alert for any possible emergency scenarios and to closely follow the announcements and alerts by their embassies in the region.
“I am following the situation in the Middle East closely and with much concern, especially reports on the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, and I urge Thais in the region to be on alert for any possible emergency scenarios and follow closely the announcements and alerts by our embassies in the region,” said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on Saturday saying that due to the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, the Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand are concerned for Thai nationals staying in areas that may be directly affected. As such, Thai embassies in the region have been instructed to monitor the situation in the region closely.
“Thai nationals in the region are urged to stay alert and follow announcements and advice from Thai Embassies closely. The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has already issued a warning to Thai nationals living there to prepare for possible emergency situations and can be contacted directly for any related assistance. Other Thai nationals are strongly urged to avoid traveling there if not deemed urgent or necessary at this time,” it stated.
According to the Associated Press report, the Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launch much more destructive ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
The Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement early Sunday the “vast majority” of missiles launched from Iran were intercepted outside of Israel’s borders. Israel has made missile defense a priority, with a variety of air-defense systems available to shoot down incoming missile and drone fire.
