Caregiver confirmed as 4th Filipino fatality in Israel

MANILA, Philippines — Another Filipino caregiver – the fourth – has been confirmed to be among the fatalities in the attacks in Israel by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

“I regret to inform the nation that we have received confirmation from the Israeli government of another Filipino casualty in Israel,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on X yesterday.

He said the identity of the deceased has been withheld as requested by her family.

“Out of respect for the wishes of the family, we shall be withholding details on the identity of the victim. But we have assured the family of the government’s full support and assistance,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the fourth fatality, a female caregiver in southern Israel, had initially been listed as one of the three missing Filipinos.

The remains of the four Filipino casualties would be flown to the Philippines, but no exact date has been given.

De Vega also said Filipinos in southern Lebanon are encouraged to evacuate because of possible retaliation by Israel against Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

“In southern Lebanon, the embassy already informed the Filipinos there to evacuate, because of possible retaliation, because of attacks of Hezbollah,” De Vega said in a virtual press briefing.

The DFA, he said, is awaiting instructions from the Philippine embassy in Beirut regarding possible evacuation.

“Due to the persistent tension in Lebanon’s southern border, posing a significant threat to the safety and security of civilian residents, the Philippine Embassy urges all Filipino nationals close to the border to evacuate preemptively to ensure their well-being and security,” the embassy said in its advisory on Tuesday.

Yesterday, in another advisory, the embassy reminded Filipinos to “take caution and avoid public places, social gatherings, and unnecessary travels around Lebanon, especially to the South” due to the ongoing mass protests across Lebanon and persistent tension in the southern border, which pose “a significant threat to the safety and security of civilians.”

Since violence escalated between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on Oct. 7, there have also been reports of clashes on the border between Israel and south Lebanon, resulting in casualties among civilians.

The Israeli military said on Sunday it intercepted five of nine rockets fired from Lebanon.

Israel said it has no interest in waging war on its northern front if the Lebanese group Hezbollah restrains itself.

The Philippine embassy in Jordan advised the Filipino community in the area to restrict non-essential movements and avoid public places, particularly where demonstrations are taking place.

Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance in, instability, or external threat to the host country.

“The Embassy reminds all Filipinos to exercise caution at all times, and to delay non-essential road travel. The safety and security of every Filipino overseas remain the priority of the Philippine government. The Philippine Embassy is continuously monitoring the situation,” the embassy said.

Filipinos needing urgent assistance may contact the embassy.

According to records of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, there are about 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.

The death toll from the Hamas attacks and Israel’s retaliation has exceeded 4,150. – Delon Porcalla, Roel Pareño, Gilbert Bayoran