12-10-2023 (TEL AVIV) A nurse from the Philippines was identified as one of the two Philippine nationals who lost their lives during the recent assault on southern Israel by Hamas gunmen. The assault, which occurred on Saturday, October 7, witnessed Hamas militants firing a barrage of 3,000 rockets into Israel and targeting areas bordering the Gaza Strip. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals from 23 different countries. Among the victims were two Filipino nationals, a 42-year-old man from Pampanga and a 33-year-old woman from Pangasinan, as confirmed by the Philippine Embassy in Israel.
The female victim had been residing in Israel for six years, recently married, with her husband back in the Philippines. The male victim was also married and had been, in the words of Labor attaché Rodolfo Gabasan, “among those captured by the Hamas,” as reported by the Inquirer.
Both Filipino nationals met their unfortunate end in a kibbutz during the surprise attacks launched by Hamas militants on that fateful Saturday. According to Gabasan, the woman and her employer were “gunned down” as Hamas fighters forcibly entered their premises.
Tragically, the lifeless bodies of the two Filipino nationals were discovered in the Gaza Envelope, which comprises populated areas of Israel situated within 7 kilometers of the Gaza Strip border. Responding to this heartbreaking news, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. released a statement on Wednesday, October 11, expressing his sorrow and condemnation of the killings. He affirmed, “The Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence.”
Also on Wednesday, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, posted a poignant photo of the female victim, revealing her name as “Angeline.” According to Hassan-Nahoum, Angeline had been providing care to an elderly woman named “Nira” in the Kibbutz Kfar Aza, situated between Netivot and Sderot, approximately 5 kilometers east of Gaza.
The deputy mayor commended Angeline’s extraordinary act of humanity and loyalty, highlighting that she chose to stay by Nira’s side during the violent onslaught, which tragically led to the brutal demise of both individuals at the hands of Hamas. Hassan-Nahoum described Angeline’s sacrifice as an “unimaginable honor in the face of evil.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs provided data revealing that there are approximately 30,000 Filipinos currently residing in Israel, with 137 of them in Gaza. Most of these Filipino expatriates work as caregivers, as reported by the Philippines News Agency.
Angeline was a nurse from the Philippines who was caring for her elderly patient, Nira on Kibbutz Kfar Gaza. Despite having a chance to flee the Hamas terror attacks, Angeline showed unbelievable humanity and loyalty by remaining Nira’s side during the violence, resulting in both… pic.twitter.com/IDWcqntwWn
— פלר חסן נחום Fleur Hassan-Nahoum (@FleurHassanN) October 11, 2023
