DFA: No Filipino casualties reported so far amid Israel conflict
Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in Gaza, October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
MANILA, Philippines — There are no deaths among the Filipino community so far amid the conflict in Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.
“So far there are no reports of Filipino casualties,” DFA undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a message.
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, killing more than 20 people in a surprise assault.
The DFA official also said that the Philippine Embassy in Israel continues to be in touch with community leaders on the ground.
“There are about 27K [Filipinos] in Israel but the vast majority are situated in places other than the Gaza area,” he added.
The DFA will continue to verify reports, he said.
Earlier, the Department of Migrant Workers told Filipinos in Israel to take precautions following the State of War alert.
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