Many foreign nationals missing, presumed dead, or feeling impact of latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict

By Zehra Nur Duz and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA / ISTANBUL (AA) – Numerous countries on Monday confirmed that their citizens were affected by the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including many missing or presumed dead.

Gaza-based resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets.

It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and rising attacks by Israeli settlers.

In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

- Asia-Pacific

At least 12 citizens of Thailand were left dead while 11 others are missing during the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Thai authorities said on Monday.

"8 injured Thai nationals are receiving medical treatment in hospital, 11 Thai nationals have been taken hostage, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has received reports from employers that 12 Thai nationals deceased," said Thai Foreign Ministry in a statement.

There are about 30,000 Thai nationals in Israel.

Authorities in Philippines said at least five Filipino citizens were also missing in Israel.

One Filipino was injured, daily Phil Star reported on Monday.

China’s Embassy in Tel Aviv on Monday confirmed that a young Chinese-Israeli woman was taken hostage during the surprise attack by Hamas.

On the social networking site Weibo, the embassy said a woman whose abduction by motorcycle went viral on social media was Noa Argamani, a Chinese-Israeli born in Beijing.

"She was kidnapped by Hamas militants at (from) a music festival in southern Israel and taken to Gaza," said the embassy.

Earlier on Monday, Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said Beijing was informed about the kidnapping, adding: "We oppose any attack and violence on civilians, but I am not aware of the details of the incident.”

At least three Chinese nationals were injured during the ongoing armed conflict, while four others remain missing, Beijing-based Chinese media reported.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet also confirmed the death of a Cambodian student in the conflict.

Nepal’s Embassy in Tel Aviv also announced the death of at least 10 Nepalese students in Hamas attacks in Israel.

Another student is missing and four have sustained injuries, the embassy added.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said Sunday that no Korean injuries or deaths have been reported so far from the fighting in Israel, where some 570 South Koreans reside and another 360 South Koreans are traveling, according to South Korean daily the Korea Herald.

The ministry urged Korean residents and travelers to leave the country as soon as possible.

- Europe

Two Spanish nationals were "affected" by the conflict between Israel and Gaza, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told state broadcaster TVE on Monday.

Albares declined to provide further details on their condition, saying only: “We are in constant contact with their families.”

He said attempts are underway to bring home other Spanish nationals who were stranded in Israel.

Portuguese media reported that at least 80 Portuguese nationals have also been affected by the violence.

They are requesting immediate help from the Portuguese Embassy in Tel Aviv to leave the country, SIC Noticias reported.

Additionally, more than 10 Britons are feared dead or missing in Israel, Sky News reported.

A British man serving with the Israeli military was killed in an attack by Hamas, the BBC quoted his family as saying.

Nathanel Young had been serving with the Israel Defense Forces when he was killed on the Gaza border on Saturday, the BBC said.

Two other British national – Jake Marlowe and Dan Darlington – are missing in Israel following Saturday's attacks, it added.

Marlowe, 26, who was working there as a security guard, was at the Nova music festival near the Gaza border when the conflict began.

Dan Darlington is originally from the UK but was living in Germany and had been visiting Israel.

Around 50,000-0,000 British nationals are believed to be in either Israel and Gaza, according to government estimates.

Scotland's first minister said his parents in-law are "trapped" in Gaza after visiting family, Sky News reported on Monday.

"As many will know, my wife is Palestinian, her mum and dad, my in-laws, who live in Dundee, live in Scotland, they've been in Gaza and are currently trapped, I'm afraid," Sky News cited Humza Yousef as saying.

- Americas

The US said on Monday that nine Americans have died during ongoing hostilities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

"At this time, we can confirm the death of nine U.S. citizens. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected, and wish those injured a speedy recovery," a National Security Council spokesperson told Anadolu in an email exchange.

"We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with our Israeli partners, particularly the local authorities," the spokesperson added.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller additionally confirmed that there are "unaccounted-for U.S. citizens, and we are working with our Israeli partners to determine their whereabouts."

Two Mexican nationals, a woman and a man, were “presumably” hostage by Hamas in Gaza on Saturday, Mexico’s Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said on X on Sunday.

In the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, three Brazilian citizens have reportedly gone missing, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry confirmed.

A total of 14,000 Brazilians are currently residing in Israel and 6,000 in Palestine.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

Israeli army's Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip killed at least 687 Palestinians and wounding at least 2,900 others.

Israeli army said it recalled 300,000 reservists, the largest-ever military call-up since 1973, amid intensified fighting with Gaza.