DFA: Evacuation of Filipinos from Gaza delayed due to attacks

MANILA, Philippines — The evacuation of foreigners, including 20 Filipinos, from Gaza scheduled yesterday has been delayed due to recent attacks along the route that crosses to Egypt, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega yesterday said the first batch of Filipinos was scheduled to cross from Gaza to Egypt yesterday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it would allow people in Gaza to evacuate south on specified streets yesterday, despite its troops coming under fire on Saturday while trying to secure a safe corridor for civilians.

De Vega reported that the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv was trying to convince the Israeli government to permit 38 Palestinian spouses of Filipinos to leave Gaza.

“The evacuation of foreign citizens did not push through yesterday (Saturday) because there were attacks by Hamas. They were blaming one another,” he said in Filipino in an interview aired over TeleRadyo Serbisyo, adding that the schedule is reset to today.

The DFA official on Saturday said that the Philippines received a notice from Israel that all 136 Filipinos in Gaza were given approval to exit and cross to Egypt.

“All Filipinos are now being convinced that it is better to cross now while there are permissions. They can go back to their spouses when the conflict is over,” he added.

Israel envoy visits OFW’s wake

Meanwhile, Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss yesterday visited the wake of the Filipino caregiver Angelyn Aguirre, who refused to leave her elderly employer during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Fluss personally offered his condolences to the Aguirre family in Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Aguirre was one of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who was murdered by Hamas terrorists in Israel.

Fluss and Consul Moti Cohen expressed their sympathies and informed the family of Angelyn, who is now part of the Victims of Terror, that the Israeli government will provide with benefits and assistance just like the other Israeli victims of Hamas.

“I heard stories about Angelyn from her family and friends. She was a caring and loving person. May her memory be blessed,” Fluss said.