BANGKOK, Jan 9 — Over 26,000 Thai workers now living in Israel have been warned again not to work near the Gaza Strip and nearby areas after three labourers were wounded by a mortar shell believed to have been fired by Palestinians into an Israeli agricultural community close to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, a senior Thai Labour Ministry official said Sunday.

Director-General Jirasuk Sugandhajatji of the Employment Department said the incident took place at 2.20pm Israel time Saturday when mortar shells were fired from Gaza and one landed in the Nahal Oz kibbutz, wounding three Thai male workers.

Two of the victims were agricultural workers near where the mortar fell while the third was a friend who had come to visit, Mr Jirasuk said.

MCOT