8-11-2023 (MANILA) In a bid to ensure their safety amidst the relentless bombings in the Gaza Strip, forty Filipino nationals have been successfully evacuated to Egypt, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Out of the 46 Filipinos who had been approved for departure from the Palestinian enclave, forty managed to cross the Rafah border and will soon be transported to the capital city of Cairo before making their way back to the Philippines.
Expressing his hopes for the safe return of the remaining countrymen, along with their spouses and loved ones, President Marcos conveyed his message through a video statement. Currently, there are approximately 136 Filipinos residing in Gaza, making their well-being a matter of utmost concern.
Last week, two Filipino members of the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders were able to exit Gaza, adding to the small number of successful evacuations.
President Marcos attributed the successful passage of the Filipinos to the coordinated efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs with the embassies located in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. He also acknowledged the mediation endeavors of Qatar, which played a pivotal role in facilitating the reopening of the borders.
The window for people to leave Gaza was open from Wednesday to Friday of last week, accommodating numerous wounded Palestinians as well as foreign nationals seeking to escape the conflict zone. After a temporary closure over the weekend, departures resumed on Monday.
Initially, 115 Filipinos had expressed their desire to be repatriated from the densely-populated and besieged territory, as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs. However, the number decreased due to concerns raised by individuals regarding leaving behind their Palestinian spouses.
On Monday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega disclosed that Israel had verbally communicated its approval for the departure of Palestinian spouses of Filipino nationals from Gaza. The government is now awaiting written confirmation of this arrangement.
The fighting in Gaza has continued unabated since the unprecedented attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7. In response, Israel has launched relentless air strikes, resulting in a devastating toll on both sides. The Gaza health ministry reports that over 10,300 people, mostly civilians, have tragically lost their lives. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concern, describing Gaza as a “graveyard for children.”
Meanwhile, in Israel, the October 7 attacks by Hamas claimed the lives of 1,400 people, while Israeli officials allege that Hamas has taken more than 240 individuals hostage, further escalating the already dire situation.
