Hamas ongoing attacks delay evacuation of first batch of Filipinos from Gaza

Department of Foreign Affairs. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The scheduled evacuation of 20 Filipinos from the war-torn Gaza Strip to Egypt was delayed due to the ongoing attacks by Hamas militants, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Earlier, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said all Filipinos left in the Gaza Strip were granted permission to leave the area in batches. The first batch was supposed to travel through the Rafah border crossing today (November 5).

However, de Vega told INQUIRER.net on Sunday that the scheduled evacuation of the Filipinos was “suspended” amid the attacks.

“Circumstances keep changing. This is war. But today, 20 were supposed to leave, but it was suspended due to Hamas attacks,” the DFA official said in a text message.

READ: 20 Filipinos to exit Gaza Strip through Rafah border crossing on Sunday — DFA

“They are supposed to leave tomorrow. Hopefully, they will be able to exit,” he added.

READ: DFA confirms 3rd Filipino death in Hamas attacks

Although he did not reveal the date, de Vega also revealed that another batch of evacuees, which consists of 26 Filipinos, is scheduled to leave the war-torn area soon.

Citing DFA’s data, de Vega said there are 134 Filipinos left in the Gaza Strip, and 115 of them initially signified that they want to return home.

However, only 46 are willing to go right now after others learned that their Palestinian spouses and relatives will not be able to accompany them in crossing the border.