ISRAEL — Israeli forces conducted a successful operation on Saturday, rescuing four hostages from the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
However, the mission resulted in the loss of at least 210 lives and left 400 others wounded, as reported by Palestinian sources.
Khalil Al-Dakran, director of al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, confirmed that numerous injured Palestinians were admitted to the hospital, with some succumbing to their injuries later.
The Hamas armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, condemned the Israeli assault in the Nuseirat area, labeling it as “a complex war crime” in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the hostage rescue operation was meticulously planned over several weeks and executed jointly by the army, the police’s elite unit, and the intelligence agency Shin Bet. Regrettably, a police officer died during the operation.
The rescued hostages were identified as Noa Argamani (25), Shlomi Ziv (40), Almog Meir Jan (21), and Andrey Kozlov (27). They had been abducted by Hamas during the Nova festival last October, an outdoor music event held in a rural area near the Gaza-Israel fence.
Despite the success of the operation, over 120 Israeli hostages, including 43 feared dead, remain in captivity in Gaza, according to IDF reports. The situation prompted Israel’s wartime cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, to delay his planned resignation announcement, originally scheduled for Saturday evening.
(el Amigo/Source:Xinhua News/PNA)
ISTANBUL – Israel has dropped more than 70,000 tons of bombs on the Gaza Strip since last October, far surpassing the combined bombings of Dresden, Hamburg, and London during World War II.
In late April, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor estimated that 70,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Gaza between Oct. 7 and April 24.
“It is estimated that Israel has dropped more than 70,000 tons of explosives on the Gaza Strip in addition to its bulldozing operations, destroying all buildings up to one kilometer in the east and north of the Strip to create a so-called buffer zone,” according to the Geneva-based human rights monitor.
The Germans dropped about 18,300 tons of bombs on London between 1940 and 1941, according to various estimates, including archives from the New York Times.
The Allies dropped 8,500 tons of bombs on Hamburg in the summer of 1943, said Hendrik Althoff, a research fellow at the Department of History at the University of Hamburg.
The Allies also used 3,900 tons of bombs on Dresden in February 1945, according to historical records.
Israel has continued its offensive on Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
More than 36,500 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and nearly 83,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Nearly eight months into the Israeli conflict, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.
(el Amigo/mnm/Source:Anadolu/PNA)
Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, spearheaded a motorcade in Manila, urgently demanding the release of 129 Israeli hostages seized by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The hostages were apprehended after breaching Israel’s border security system.
Ambassador Fluss actively participated in the motorcade, riding one of the jeepneys adorned with banners, posters displaying the hostages, and the Israeli flag. This event unfolded at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Friday, December 22, 2023.
The motorcade serves as a pivotal component of the “Bring Them Home” campaign advocating for the swift and unconditional release of the hostages in Gaza, as emphasized by the Ambassador.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/IAmigo/MNM)
In a significant development, Israel’s Cabinet has given the green light to a ceasefire agreement with the Hamas militant group, marking a temporary cessation of the prolonged conflict that has endured for over six weeks.
As part of the agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing 50 of the approximately 240 hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip.
The release is scheduled to take place over four days, with the Israeli government announcing its intention to extend the ceasefire by an additional day for every 10 hostages set free.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of the Cabinet vote on Wednesday morning, affirmed that Israel would resume its offensive against Hamas once the ceasefire period concludes. The specific commencement date of the truce is yet to be clarified.
(ai/mnm/sourced online)
The United States House of Representatives approved a $14.3 billion military aid package for Israel while Israel was engaged in an ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip.
The legislation, known as the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act 2024, passed the House with a vote of 226-196, largely along party lines.
However, it is expected to face significant challenges in the Democratic-controlled Senate and has been threatened with a presidential veto by Joe Biden.
President Biden expressed dissatisfaction with the bill, as it fell short of the over $105 billion in supplemental funding he had requested from Congress in late October.
The Senate is likely to push for a more comprehensive spending package, which includes not only aid to Israel but also $61 billion in new funding for Ukraine, additional resources for border security, and other policy priorities.
A portion of the funding, over $9 billion, is allocated for humanitarian assistance projects, including those in Gaza.
The allocation for Ukraine has been a contentious issue in the House, with an increasing number of Republicans opposing additional funding for Kyiv.
The United States currently provides Israel with approximately $3.8 billion in military aid annually.
The new funding is intended for replacing previously supplied arms to Israel, restocking Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling air and missile defense systems, and supporting the development of the Iron Beam laser air defense system.
In addition to the military aid, the House bill includes cuts to funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US tax authority, which the Congressional Budget Office has warned could add $26 billion to the national debt rather than reduce it.
It’s worth noting that the United States provides the highest level of military aid to Israel compared to any other country in the world.
(Sourced online by JR AMIGO/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
DESPITE THE RAGING ARMED CONFLICT, more than 16,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) opted to stay in Lebanon as only six of them arrived in the Philippines early Friday morning.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that there are 17,000 Filipinos in Lebanon. Of the number, only about a hundred have requested for repatriation.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier disclosed that many OFWs have decided to stay in Lebanon because of work, while some believe that the situation in Beirut is “business as usual.”
“We hope mas maraming sasagot dito at makauwi,” De Vega said.
The Philippine government placed Lebanon under Alert Level 3 on October 21, signifying voluntary repatriation.
The six OFWs arrived via Flight EK336 which departed from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 past 6 a.m.
The returning OFWs composed the first batch of repatriates from Lebanon amid the ongoing armed clashes there between Israel and Hezbollah militants.
(ai/mnm)
In a press conference on Friday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. disclosed that Israel has pledged its support to facilitate the departure of Filipinos from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, with the evacuation expected to occur by either Friday or Saturday, ensuring their safe relocation to Egypt.
The commitment was established following a meeting between Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as announced by President Marcos at the Malacañan Palace in Manila.
President Marcos stated, “They have given us their assurance that Filipinos will be allowed to depart either today or tomorrow and at the latest, by Saturday.”
He continued, “This is the latest information I received this morning from our Secretary of the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), and I hope it becomes a reality soon so we can facilitate the departure of those who wish to leave and bring them back safely to our homeland.”
Marcos affirmed that the Philippine Embassy in Cairo is fully prepared to provide support to Filipinos who will cross the Rafah border and ultimately be repatriated. Additionally, he mentioned that the Philippine government has extended its assistance to other Southeast Asian nations whose citizens are also stranded in the Gaza Strip.
Concerning the situation, Marcos expressed, “I know many people are concerned about our Filipino nationals in Gaza, in the middle of the conflict. We received reports that those in Gaza are still unable to exit through the Rafah crossing, and some are questioning why. Unfortunately, it is beyond our control. It is a matter between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are currently 134 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip, with 115 of them awaiting permission to cross the border.
President Marcos acknowledged that some Filipinos, particularly those married to Palestinians, are grappling with the decision of whether to leave Gaza. He explained, “There is a complication as well because some of the Filipino nationals are women who are married to Palestinians. Palestinians are not permitted to leave.”
He added, “Many of them are undecided about whether they want to leave or not because, of course, they do not want to leave their spouses and their children.”
(ai/mnm)
Ni Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Nakarating na nitong Sabado sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) cargo terminal ang mga labi ng ikatlong overseas Filipino worker (OFW) na napatay sa pag-atake ng militanteng Hamas sa Israel.
Mula sa cargo terminal, dadalhin ang mga labi ng OFW sa Negros Occidental Linggo ng hapon, ayon sa mga awtoridad.
Tumanggi pa rin ang Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) na pangalanan ang naiuwing labi upang bigyan ng respeto ang naulilang pamilya.
Ang babaeng OFW ay isang caregiver na pinatay ng Hamas, ayon kay DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia.
“Ayon dun sa kuwento mismo ng kamag-anak ng employer, ipinagtanggol niya at hindi iniwanan ang kanyang elderly Israel employer. Sinamahan niya kahit na meron siyang pagkakataon na makaalis,” sabi ni Olalia.
Sinabi pa ni Olalia na tumulong ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno sa pagpapauwi ng mga labi at sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa pamilya.
“Tulong-tulong po ang lahat ng ahensiya sa pagbibigay ng tulong, ng assistance dito sa nasawi natin na modern-day hero. Ang OWWA ay nagbigay ng assistance, ganon din ang DMW pati po ‘yung ibang ahensiya ay nagbigay rin po,” ayon sa opisyal.
Samantala, sinabi ni Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega na 34 OFWs mula sa Israel ang nakauwi na.
(ai/mnm)
ASEAN has called for an immediate cessation of violence in the Israel-Hamas crisis.
In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of its 10 member countries, ASEAN strongly condemned the acts of violence in the region, which have resulted in the loss of life and injuries to civilians, including Filipino and Thai nationals.
The organization urged an immediate end to violence to prevent further human casualties and emphasized the importance of respecting International Humanitarian Law. They also called on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian corridors.
Furthermore, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a negotiated two-state solution, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
They stressed that this remains the most viable path to address the root causes of the conflict.
The organization also called on the international community to support the peace process to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.
This statement comes amid a two-week-long escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the loss of thousands of civilian lives, including children, medical personnel, and journalists. (ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is diligently working to locate two missing Filipinos in Israel amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas group a ranking official said.
However, OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio admitted Friday that there haven’t been any recent updates concerning the two missing individuals.
“I fervently hope and pray that they are found, perhaps through a stroke of luck,” Ignacio expressed during a radio interview.
“One of them… the spouse, I personally took her in at OWWA because I felt sympathy for her being there, away from her family, without anyone to turn to. She stayed with us for several days, and we provided her with accommodation to reassure her of our support. Her child was also with her, and we made sure to keep them entertained,” he added.
Despite the lack of updates on the situation of the missing Filipinos, Ignacio assured that OWWA is actively involved in these cases.
In the meantime, authorities are coordinating the repatriation of the remains of the four Filipinos killed in the war.
“We’re arranging the return of the remains of Loreta Alacre from Negros. The flight is scheduled for October 21,” he confirmed.
“I’m just trying to recall all the dates; there are so many of these cases, all happening at once.”
On Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced the unfortunate loss of another Filipino in Israel, bringing the total number of Filipino fatalities to four.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senator Francis Tolentino said that the country needs to implement quality Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) taking a cue from the raging Israel-Hamas war but he made it a point that it’s about patriotism and not war pandering.
Tolentino said that in the most recent hostilities in Gaza, Israel mobilized their 300,000 ROTC reservists in the war against Hamas.
“Siguro, mas ano, mas naha-highlight ‘yung need for a quality ROTC program. Kasi kung makikita mo ‘yung sa Israel 300,000 ‘yung minobilize na ROTC reservists nila,” the senator said.
However, the lawmaker emphasized that he is not war pandering, rather it is to prepare the youth for them to imbibe a deeper meaning of patriotism.
“It’s not about war. It’s about patriotism,” Tolentino said.
Following the simultaneous strikes by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in more than 1,000 fatalities, the Israeli military had claimed it called up to 300,000 reservists.
The Senate’s measure mandating the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for students in technical-vocational and higher education institutions is currently up for discussion in the full Senate.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
CONCERNED THAT CIVILIANS, SPECIALLY CHILDREN, are caught in the crossfire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas armed conflict, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has urged Filipinos to call for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations amid the escalating violence in the Middle East.
In a video message, Duterte on Thursday, October 19, expressed concern the conflict in the region has impacted civilians, including children.
“Ako ay nananawagan sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino na ipahayag ang isang tigil-putukan at dalhin ang usapin ng kapayapaan sa mesa,” Duterte said.
At the same time, she called for unity among the parties in the country in issuing a collective appeal for lasting peace in the region to end the suffering of civilians.
“Ating ipanawagan ang pagkakaisa ng mga partido upang maglabas ng kolektibong pananawagan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at wakasan ang pagdurusa at kahirapan na nararanasan ng mga sibilyan lalo na ang pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” the VPES further said.
Israel’s latest assault on Gaza began after fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance movement governing the occupied Strip, launched a surprise attack on October 7 just outside the besieged enclave on Israeli territory.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday that another Filipino was killed in an attack by the militant group Hamas in Israel.
However, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo did not disclose the name of the fourth victim as a solemn plea by the family not to reveal the identity of the victim.
“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,” Manalo said in a post.
In a radio interview on Thursday, DFA Undersecretary Ed de Vega said that the fourth Filipino victim in Israel was a caregiver.
He was one of the three Filipinos who were reported missing when Hamas attacked on October 7 from Gaza.
The other three Filipinos who died in the Hamas attack were Angeline Aguirre, a nurse; Paul Vincent Castelvi, a caregiver, and Loreta Alacre, who was also a caregiver.
About 30,000 Filipinos are working in Israel, mostly caregivers and nurses.
An estimated 135 Filipinos are believed to be trapped in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. (ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday said he would file a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an immediate end to violence against innocent civilians, women, children, and the elderly in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“I call on my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join calls for an end to the violence. I believe this august body can encourage governments including our own to take a strong position against the continued violence against innocent civilians caught in the crossfires of the conflict,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct ARMM, said.
“Saksi ang buong mundo sa mga epekto ng karahasan sa Israel-Hamas conflict lalong-lalo na ang mga namamatay at nasusugatang inosenteng sibilyan, pati ang mga bata, kababaihan at matatanda. Nananawagan tayo para sa pagtatapos ng gulong ito at pagtahak ng mas mapayapang paraan ng pagtugon sa ugat ng digmaan,” Hataman added.
The United Nations estimates the death toll from the war between the Israelis and Palestinians already reached 4,300 since the ongoing conflict reignited last Oct. 7 when Hamas suddenly attacked Israel.
Of the death toll, it was gathered that at least 1,300 Israelis were estimated to have died in the war and the Palestinians accordingly sustained around 3,000 casualties.
Hataman also said the resolution will also call for immediate and unimpeded access to international humanitarian agencies in the affected communities, especially in Gaza, to provide relief and medical care to civilians.
“This resolution will also urge the international community of nations to work collaboratively towards a permanent and peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ang ating bansa ay naniniwala sa peaceful resolution ng conflict, at napatunayan na natin ito sa Bangsamoro,” the Basilan lawmaker explained.
“We call upon the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table to seek a just and lasting peace in the region. Madami nang inosenteng biktima ang nadadamay sa digmaan. Dalangin natin ay ‘wag na sanang tumaas ang bilang ng mga namamatay at nasusugatan,” he said.
The latest in the series of violence in Gaza is the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where hundreds died.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday made a commitment that he would provide assistance to the affected Filipinos in the Israel-Hamas war.
Tulfo met with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs along with some lawmakers at the DFA Central Office to discuss the current situation of Filipinos in Israel.
Among those who attended the meeting were DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, Usec. Eduardo de Vega of Migrant Workers Affairs, Usec. Maria Theresa Lazaro of Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, Asec. Mardomel Melicor of the Middle East and African Affairs, Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, OFW Partylist Marissa Rep. “Del Mar” Magsino, KABAYAN Partylist Rep. Ron Salo and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro.
Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr., Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat, Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos, Ambassador to Egypt Ezzedin Tago, and Charge d’affaires to Syria John Reyes also joined the meeting virtually.
“Patuloy pa rin ang close monitoring sa mga Filipino community sa mga lugar na apektado ng giyera kabilang na ang Israel, Gaza at West bank pati ang mga kalapit na bansa. May contingency plan na din ang gobyerno sakaling mas lumala ang sitwasyon sa rehiyon,” Tulfo said.
There were some OFWs who had already expressed their interest in returning to the Philippines due to the war in the said country.
Among these were the 16 OFWs, along with one infant, who arrived on October 18 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. They were welcomed by Tulfo at the airport.
“Gagawin ang lahat ng gobyerno para masigurong ligtas at maayos na makakabalik ang mga OFW dito sa Pilipinas. May mga ayuda ring ibibigay para sa mga nakabalik na sa bansa at scholarship mula sa TESDA para sa kanilang mga anak,” he said
“Puspusan din na nagtratrabaho ang Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) para sa repatriation ng mga Pinoy sa Israel,” he added.
(ai/mnm)
In response to the dire situation in Gaza, Pope Francis made a plea for all parties involved to disarm during his weekly General Audience on October 18, 2023.
He expressed deep concern about the escalating crisis and emphasized the need to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Pope stressed that war doesn’t offer solutions but instead results in death, destruction, increased hatred, and a cycle of revenge.
He underscored the importance of choosing the path of peace.
These remarks followed a deadly airstrike on a Gaza hospital the previous day, which resulted in hundreds of casualties.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza had its origins in actions by both Hamas and the Israeli military. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the suffering caused by the conflict.
The casualty figures stand at more than 3,300 Palestinians and over 1,400 people in Israel.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
“GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.”
This is the gist of House Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman’s statement when he urged the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to join the calls for a ceasefire between Israel and the armed group Hamas.
Hataman cited the loss of lives of several innocent civilians, including children and the elderly, who were caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.
“I call on my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join calls for an end to the violence. I believe this august body can encourage governments including our own to take a strong position against the continued violence against innocent civilians caught in the crossfires of the conflict,” Hataman said.
The former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) also called for immediate and unimpeded access to international humanitarian agencies in the affected communities, especially in Gaza, to provide relief and medical care to civilians.
“We urge the international community of nations to work collaboratively towards a permanent and peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We believe in peaceful resolution of conflict, and we have proven this in Bangsamoro,” Hataman stressed.
The Basilan lawmaker then pressed for peace negotiations to end the armed conflict and misery in the Middle Eastern country.
“We call upon the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table to seek a just and lasting peace in the region,” Hataman said. (ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
KABAYAN party-list Representative Ron Salo has proposed the immediate creation of a task force that will monitor and impose decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of overseas Filipinos amid the war in Israel and Gaza.
This is in light of the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza and the reported capture of Filipino nationals by Hamas militants.
“With the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the risks it poses to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino nationals in the region, I have filed House Resolution No. 1369 urging the Executive Department to immediately create a crisis management and response task force for the assistance of our countrymen in Israel and Gaza,” the Kabayan party-list representative said.
“This task force, jointly led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), will be mandated to closely monitor the evolving situation, ensure the safety of our Kabayans, and be fully prepared for any possible contingencies,” Salo, chairman of the committee on overseas workers affairs, added.
There are over 30,000 Filipinos in Israel as of December 2021, DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said, citing records of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority.
“The Crisis Management and Response Task Force will work diligently to closely monitor the ongoing conflict and establish effective systems to track the whereabouts and conditions of Filipino nationals in the affected areas, providing around-the-clock updates and assistance as may be necessary,” Salo explained.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported that 20 of the 26 Filipinos who were abducted and kidnapped have been rescued.
To ensure a decisive, holistic, and coordinated response of the Philippine government, the members of the task force will include pertinent agencies, including the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA), and our dedicated diplomatic representatives led by the Philippine Ambassador to Israel and the Labor Attaché in Israel.
The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, chaired by Rep.Salo, will also conduct a hearing tomorrow, 11 October 2023, at 1:30 PM on the matter.
This vital session will focus on the current situation of our overseas Filipinos in Israel amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive briefing on the efforts by key government agencies involved in ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipinos out there.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
DESPITE the standby funds and personnel to assist Filipinos in Israel, Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said Tuesday that it not yet safe to repatriate Filipinos from Israel.
“Hindi pa ito ‘yung tamang panahon na mag-mass repatriation… Maselan ‘yung sitwasyon, hindi pa safe,” Cacdac said in a radio interview.
Cacdac explained that safety and security concerns are being considered before they repatriate the Filipinos.
There are 83 Filipinos who have asked for assistance from the Philippine government, 76 were “accounted for,” while seven were “unaccounted for.”
Meanwhile, Cacdac said that there are “no signs” that Filipinos want to go back in the country.
“Sa ngayon, hindi pa natin nadidinig ang pahiwatig na gustong umuwi… Hindi pa natin masabing tiyak na ayaw nilang umuwi… Kasi nandoon pa sila sa sitwasyon na safety is the primodial concern,” the DMW official said.
Some 3,500 Filipinos in Israel have marked themselves safe, according to the survey conducted. However, Cacdac noted that there might be a lot more Filipino who are safe but were not able to answer the survey.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that seven remain unaccounted for and cannot be contacted via their mobile numbers and social media accounts.
“The Philippine Embassy (in Israel) is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities and community contacts to ascertain their condition. We continue to await feedback from them,” DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza earlier said.
Following a surprise strike by the Hamas group last Saturday, Israel declared war and attacked Gaza. (ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
SENATORS have called on all concerned government agencies to ensure the protection of the Filipinos in Israel after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a deadly attack last Saturday.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Grace Poe have condemned the violence made in Israel.
“We call upon the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other Philippine government agencies to secure our overseas Filipinos and ensure safe passage if necessary,” Zubiri said.
“We urge the full utilization of the Assistance to Nationals Fund for this purpose. I pray for all who are affected by this conflict- particularly the thousands of our Filipino brothers and sisters. May the LORD cover you all,” he added.
Poe, on her part, said that the safety of the Filipinos should be the top priority of the government.
“The safety of Filipinos in conflict-stricken Israel is of primordial concern. Concerned government agencies must ensure that our kababayan, especially those living near the battle zones, are moved to secure shelters or halfway houses,” Poe said.
“Repatriation should be calibrated for those who want to go home while the borders are still open […] As we hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, we have to act with dispatch so that no Filipinos will be included in the count of casualties,” she added.
With rocket fire and the deployment of armed men into numerous Israeli communities, Hamas began its most significant strike on Israel in years on Saturday. Israel suffered at least 22 fatalities.
(ai/mnm)