Authorities verifying report of Filipino killed in Israel-Hamas conflict
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are verifying a report about a Filipino caregiver who may have died amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said Tuesday.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Junie Laylo said in an interview with CNN Philippines that a Filipino community leader reported that a caregiver was killed.
“We will verify that,” Lalyo said. No further details were provided.
Five Filipinos remain missing, while 23 have been rescued by Israeli security forces.
One of the rescued individuals is being treated in a hospital after being shot in the arm. Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said in a separate interview with CNN Philippines that the individual is “out of harm’s way.”
Another Filipino was treated for smoke inhalation but later was discharged.
Officials visited those who were rescued and provided assistance. According to Cacdac, the help desk set up by the DMW and the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration has so far received requests for assistance from 83 overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Authorities are still verifying reports that Filipinos were captured by Hamas militants. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday that a Filipino woman claimed to have recognized her husband among the individuals being held by armed individuals.
Repatriation
“The situation is tense. Rockets are still raining down, although not as intense as it was last Saturday,” Laylo said
There are around 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, with most residing outside the conflict area in the southern region near the Gaza Strip.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, around 150 Filipinos are in Gaza.
Several Filipinos in Gaza signified their intention to be repatriated.
“Evacuation and repatriation plans have been in place since day one and we stand ready at any given time… But we have to balance the situation with the advisory for all to stay indoors and not to move from one place to another,” Cacdac said.
Filipino workers in Israel and their families can contact the DMW’s hotline +63 2 1348 or the following WhatsApp and Viber numbers: +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186 or +63 9205171059 for emergencies.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv is available at +972-54-4661188 or +972-50-911-4017 for further assistance.
The death toll rose to 900 in Israel following a surprise attack by Hamas militants. Israel has retaliated with a withering barrage of strikes on Gaza, raising the death toll there to 687.
Hamas threatened to kill hostages if the Israeli army carried out air strikes without prior warning targeting residents of Gaza.
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