Twelve Thais have been killed and another 11 kidnapped by Palestinian Hamas militants who launched a mass assault from Gaza on Israel.

Since Saturday, another eight Thai nationals have been injured in the violence, the Thai foreign ministry reported.

Air force planes were ready to fly citizens home, according to the statement.

The number of Thais working in agriculture in Israel is about 30,000, with many of them living close to the Gaza border. Ten of Nepal’s citizens were killed, according to the country’s government.

Among the other countries that have reported citizens killed, abducted or missing in Israel are the US, UK, and Germany.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s labour minister, told AFP news agency that some 5,000 Thai workers are in the area where fighting is taking place, but that Israeli forces have begun moving them to safety. One thousand and ninety-nine workers have registered to return home, he said.

Following rockets fired in the early hours of Saturday, workers at a farm in Mivtahim described Hamas militants storming their farm.

Udomporn Champahom described how Hamas militants fired a rocket at our farm, then stormed the house. “I had to run and hide in my bedroom,” Udomporn Champahom said.

Israeli soldiers later rescued Mr Udomporn. The Thai who was with him at the time is recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg the size of a bottle cap.

Israel is believed to have citizens from more than 50 countries working there.

Earlier on Sunday, Nepal confirmed that the ten students who died had gone to Israel to work and gain skills in an agricultural company.