By Junex Doronio
BRAVING Israeli air strikes that have flattened some residential buildings in the Gaza strip, around 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seemed determined to stay put and did not ask to be repatriated to the Philippines.
This was revealed by former popular television host and now Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio.
“Sa 200 OFWs dito sa affected areas sa Gaza Strip, dito tayo nakatutok… Sa experience namin with Israel, kadalasan sa mga pangyayaring ganito, bihira ang nagre-request for repatriation,” OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio disclosed in his interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
On early Monday, Israeli officials confirmed that over 700 Israeli civilians and members of the military had died since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza early Saturday morning.
Gaza is a Palestinian exclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
During the so-called Six-Day War in 1967, Israel captured Gaza.
In 2006, Hamas won local elections in Gaza and then took sole control of it in 2007.
But despite Hamas’ electoral victory, Gaza has been under a strict Israeli blockade, dependent on the Israeli government for electricity, water, and telecommunications.
The Hamas militants launched the “surprise attack” on Israel last Saturday in response to what they claimed mounting Palestinian suffering under Israel’s occupation and blockade of Gaza.
More than 24,800 Filipinos are in Israel and many of them are caregivers, followed by hotel workers and service sector workers, the OWWA chief said.
Ignacio further said that the five caregivers employed in Gaza have been found while they are still waiting for updates regarding six others.
“Sa kabuuan ng Israel, mayroong tayong mga 24,807 [na mga Pilipino]. Pero dito sa nabanggit nating area na kritikal dito sa Gaza Strip — ‘yung Ashkelon, Ashdod, Sderot, estimated natin mga 200 OFWs ang meron tayo,” he added. (ai/mnm)
