THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently in the process of verifying reports regarding the alleged abduction of Filipino workers by suspected Hamas militants amidst a major escalation of hostilities in Israel.

According to Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received “unconfirmed reports” that a group of Filipinos working in close proximity to the Israeli border was taken captive on Saturday morning.

“We have received these unconfirmed reports at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, and we are actively working to verify their accuracy,” stated Daza.

She further assured that all Filipino agro-studies students in Israel are currently “accounted for,” based on the latest information available.

“Nevertheless, we are continuously monitoring the situation and have requested the local authorities to ensure their safety,” Daza added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega disclosed that contingency plans have been put into motion, including an emergency meeting convened at the embassy, to ensure the well-being of the approximately 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel.

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries among the Filipino community in Israel, as confirmed by de Vega. “Evacuation plans have been prepared, just in case. However, as of now, our ambassador has reported no Filipino casualties. We are actively in touch with the Filipino community to ensure their welfare,” he stated in a television interview on Saturday.

In response to this situation, the Department of Migrant Workers has established a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk dedicated to assisting Filipinos in Israel. They can be reached at +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp and Viber at +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, or +63 9205171059.

(AI/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

DESPITE THE DECLARATION of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is “at war” after Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack Saturday morning, there is still no evacuation plan for the estimated 27,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the US-backed Jewish state.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said their agency is continuing to monitor the critical situation in Israel and accounting the OFWs, most especially in areas near the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian area governed by Hamas militants and blockaded by Israel and Egypt.

“Mayroon na tayong namo-monitor, ina-account natin na Pilipino, mga OFWs na nandoon. Patuloy lang ang effort natin. We are talking to many of them and mga relatives nila. Isa-isa nating naa-account sila,” Cacdac said when interviewed over Teleradyo Serbisyo.

“So far there are no reports of Filipino casualties,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said.

He added: “There are about 27K [Filipinos] in Israel but the vast majority are situated in places other than the Gaza area.”

Gaza is a Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza also disclosed that the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv received “unconfirmed reports” that some Filipinos working near the Israeli border were captured on Saturday morning.

Maharlika NuMedia gathered that at least 300 people have died and thousands of others are wounded in Israel.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 232 Palestinians have died and more than 1,600 are wounded in Gaza.

Israel launched air strikes on the territory while its forces clashed on the ground with Hamas fighters.

On the other hand, the Israeli foreign ministry claimed that more than 200 Israelis have been killed. (ai/mnm)