9-10-2023 (MANILA) Filipino workers in Israel are reportedly being held captive by the Islamist group Hamas following their recent offensive, which resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and the displacement of thousands, according to Israeli TV, as cited by the Associated Press.
The attack by Hamas on October 7 marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces. The conflict has been fueled by Israeli settler violence, which has led to the displacement of hundreds of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since 2022. Tensions have also been high around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site in Jerusalem that has become a flashpoint for violence.
The Philippine government has condemned the attacks in Israel, expressing solidarity with the Israeli people. The Office of the President issued a statement condemning the attacks, particularly those targeting civilian populations. The statement also acknowledged the right of states to self-defense in the face of external aggression, as recognized in the United Nations Charter.
While Israeli TV initially reported that workers from the Philippines were being held captive, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss stated that they have not received verified reports of Filipinos being held hostage. Fluss clarified during an online briefing that they were aware of Thai nationals involved but had no information regarding Philippine nationals.
Marc Pleños, the leader of the Filipino community in Israel, stated in an interview with One News that a Filipino caregiver in Kibbutz Be’eri had been captured by Hamas. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that no Filipinos have been reported killed or injured in the Hamas attack.
The majority of Filipinos in Israel work as domestic workers or caregivers in cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, which are located approximately 70 kilometers away from the Gaza Strip, where Hamas launched attacks on nearby Israeli towns during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Eduardo Jose de Vega, DFA Undersecretary for migrant affairs, noted that the Department of Migrant Workers has accounted for 20 Filipino caregivers who are staying near the Gaza Strip, some of whom are married to Palestinians residing in Gaza. These individuals are currently staying in shelters with their employers.
According to recruitment consultant Manny Geslani, there are approximately 35,000 Filipinos residing in Israel, with many living in apartments equipped with bomb shelters.
The Philippine government, through the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), is actively coordinating with the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv and the Migrant Workers Office in Israel to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict. The President has instructed the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to locate and account for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in Israel. The PCO has also set up hotlines via Viber and WhatsApp to address calls and queries from OFWs and the Filipino community in need of government assistance.
The recent offensive by Hamas, known as “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” saw more than 5,000 rockets fired towards Israel from multiple locations in Gaza, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In response, Israeli officials declared a state of war and called up military reservists. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 232 people and injuries to 1,697, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, as reported by UNRWA.
The House of Representatives in the Philippines has also condemned the attack, expressing concerns for the safety of OFWs. Speaker Martin Romualdez emphasized the importance of dialogue and understanding in achieving true change while respecting and protecting the rights of civilians under international law. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri called on the government to ensure the safety of OFWs in Israel and urged the full utilization of the Assistance to Nationals Fund for this purpose.
Ambassador Ilan Fluss called on the international community and the Philippines to support Israel, assuring that the Israeli government is taking care of Filipinos in the country as they would any other Israeli citizen.
