25-10-2023 (MANILA) As Israel continues its relentless airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave, three Filipino nationals are still trapped in Gaza City, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The situation remains critical, with a father and child currently seeking medical treatment in a local hospital.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega addressed the issue in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, emphasizing the challenges faced in evacuating the individuals due to their hospitalization. De Vega expressed the government’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and foreign nationals.
Gaza City, the largest and most populous area in the Palestinian territory, has been severely affected by the ongoing bombardment, along with the northern part of the enclave. Israel’s military has urged civilians to relocate to the southern region for their safety.
Earlier, the Philippine government issued a mandatory evacuation order for 131 Filipinos in Gaza, most of whom have moved near the Rafah border crossing close to Egypt. De Vega expressed hope that they would be able to cross the border and join other Filipinos already in the south by the weekend.
In a separate incident, two Filipinos remain missing in Israel following an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern towns on October 7. According to the DFA official, one of the missing individuals holds an Israeli passport, while the other is believed to have been taken hostage.
So far, 60 overseas Filipino workers have returned from Israel, with approximately 120 more expected to be repatriated in the coming days.
Potential Repatriation in the West Bank
De Vega also highlighted the possibility of raising the alert level in the occupied West Bank and initiating voluntary repatriation measures. Currently under Alert Level 2, the West Bank has seen four out of 122 Filipinos express their intention to leave the Palestinian territory.
Over the weekend, the Philippines announced a voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in Lebanon due to the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Lebanon is home to around 17,500 Filipinos, primarily workers.
The ongoing violence has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with Hamas militants killing over 1,400 people in Israel and taking 222 hostages. In Gaza, the death toll has risen to 5,791, with a significant number of casualties being innocent children caught in the crossfire.
