19-10-2023 (MANILA) The Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that a fourth Filipino has lost their life in the aftermath of the attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo expressed his regret as he informed the nation of the tragic news, stating, “I regret to inform the nation that we have received confirmation from the Israeli government of another Filipino casualty in Israel.”
While Manalo did not disclose the specific details regarding the identity of the deceased individual, he assured the public that the government would extend support and assistance to the victim’s family.
Prior to this announcement, the government had already reported the deaths of three Filipinos in Israel, including a Filipina nurse and two caregivers.
Approximately 30,000 Filipinos currently reside in Israel, with the majority living outside the conflict zone in the southern region near the Gaza Strip. However, an estimated 150 Filipinos are still in Gaza.
The attack carried out by Hamas on October 7 marked the deadliest incident in Israel’s 75-year history, claiming the lives of over 1,400 people, predominantly civilians within the country.
In response, Israel launched airstrikes that have resulted in the deaths of around 3,000 individuals in the Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were civilians. Tragically, a blast at a Gaza hospital late Tuesday caused at least 471 fatalities and left 300 others injured.
Both Israel and Palestinian militants have exchanged blame for the strike that targeted the medical facility.
Consequently, the Philippines issued a directive last Sunday for the mandatory repatriation and evacuation of Filipinos in Gaza. This decision came after the Israeli military announced its plans for a coordinated offensive into the Palestinian territory by land, air, and sea.
