People walk around the ruins of a building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8, 2023. Fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian militant group Hamas raged on October 8, with hundreds killed on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn they were “embarking on a long and difficult war.” (Photo by Mohammed ABED / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is “closely monitoring” the situation of 24,807 Filipinos in Israel as tensions flared following a surprise assault by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on the Middle Eastern country on October 7.
OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio said Sunday that of the total, 200 Filipino workers are based in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has been retaliating with air strikes on Hamas targets on the Gaza-Israel security fence and on a multi-story building in Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “mighty vengeance” against the Islamist group.
READ: PH embassy in Israel closed until further notice following Hamas attack
“Meron po tayo 24,807 na Filipinos sa kabuuan ng Israel pero dito sa apektadong area sa Gaza Strip especially dyan sa Ashkelon, Ashdod, Sderot, meron tayong 200 OFWs dyan,” Ignacio said in a video statement.
(We have 24,807 Filipinos throughout Israel, but here in the affected area in the Gaza Strip, especially in Ashkelon, Ashdod, Sderot, we have 200 OFWs there.)
READ: Israel ‘at war’ as Hamas gunmen launch surprise attack from Gaza
“Para sa ating kababayan sa Israel (For our countrymen in Israel), I’d like to inform you na (that) we are closely monitoring your situation there – the OWWA, DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),” he added.
Earlier, the DMW said it set up a hotline in coordination with OWWA to assist affected Filipinos in Israel and their families in the Philippines.
Filipinos in Israel and their families in the Philippines may call +63 2 1348, or WhatsApp and Viber numbers +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, and +639205171059 to ask for help from Philippine authorities.