12-11-2023 (MANILA) In a poignant turn of events, the initial group of 34 Filipinos who escaped the turmoil in Gaza has reached the shores of the Philippines, bringing with them a complex blend of relief and heartbreak. Their departure from the war-torn region was marked by tearful goodbyes, leaving behind Palestinian relatives amidst the ongoing conflict.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr disclosed that before the eruption of hostilities on Oct 7, there were 137 Filipinos residing in the Gaza Strip. As of Saturday, 78 Filipino nationals managed to traverse the Rafah border into Egypt, working in tandem with the Philippine government to secure flights back to Manila from Cairo. In a bittersweet decision, 59 individuals opted to remain in Gaza, unwilling to leave their Palestinian relatives due to travel restrictions.
Among the evacuees was 57-year-old Filipino nurse Lucina Al-Qadiri, who has called Gaza home since 2012. With her five adult children completing their studies in Gaza, Lucina, along with her children (except her eldest son), evacuated from the conflict zone. The eldest son chose to stay behind, his Palestinian wife, having given birth a day before Oct 7, unable to obtain clearance to travel to Manila.
The emotional toll was evident as Lucina shared her concerns about the safety of her family amidst the conflict. She reached out to Philippine embassy officials in Jordan, advocating for their evacuation. The challenges faced by families separated by geopolitical tensions underscored the humanitarian complexities at play.
Minerva Sabah, another evacuee, tearfully shared the separation from her Palestinian husband, an assistant professor in Gaza, who could not join her and their two adult children in leaving. Having experienced six wars, Sabah expressed the uncertainties of when they would be reunited and the fear of returning to an uncertain fate in Gaza.
The Philippine government extended financial aid of approximately 76,000 pesos (S$1,800) to each repatriated family, coupled with transport and accommodation assistance. A second group of 42 repatriates, still in Cairo, is anticipated to return to Manila soon.
The complex geopolitical landscape also led to the evacuation of 184 Filipino migrant workers, primarily caregivers, and seven infants from Israel. However, with around 30,000 Filipinos still in Israel, according to the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, the task of ensuring the safety of all remains daunting.
The Filipinos repatriated from Gaza face an uncertain future, having witnessed the devastation caused by Israeli air and artillery strikes on the place they once called home. Mrs. Isabelita Balala, a 62-year-old caregiver with two decades of experience in Gaza, painted a grim picture of the relentless bombing, stating, “Whenever Israel started bombing, it was really intense. Gaza is gone. They pulverised it.”
As the conflict continues, Palestinian officials reported on Friday that over 11,000 Gaza residents have lost their lives since Israel’s daily bombardment began on Oct 7. In contrast, Israel’s Foreign Ministry, on the same day, revised the Israeli death toll down to 1,200 from the previous estimate of 1,400.
Mrs. Al-Qadiri, reflecting on the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces, expressed profound dismay, stating, “They are turning the city and its people to ashes. Everything you’ve seen on TV is true.” Her decision to stay in the Philippines temporarily echoes the emotional wounds inflicted by the conflict, emphasizing the need for healing and reflection on the profound impact of geopolitical unrest.
