FILE PHOTO: A picture taken from the southern Israeli border city of Sderot shows smoke rising above buildings in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli strike on November 4, 2023, as battles between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants continue. The Philippine government is working on the repatriation of 14 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip amid worsening conflict between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is working on the repatriation of 14 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip amid worsening conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos told INQUIRER.net. in a text message that 15 Filipinos remain in war-torn Gaza, adding Philippine embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv are helping them in their effort.
“We are still trying to get in touch with the Filipino nun in Gaza City. But no one is answering the landline in her church. We will continue to reach out to her. She is the 15th Filipino remaining in Gaza,” he said.
According to Santos, they have been in touch with the 14 Filipinos since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023.
“But they did not exit Gaza for Egypt – unlike the other 122 Filipinos – since they did not want to leave behind their Palestinian parents and relatives. We continue to monitor their situation and have always encouraged them to leave Gaza for their safety,” he explained.
Asked what made these Filipinos seek repatriation now, Santos said they may be “ready to cross to Egypt now that the situation in Gaza has become more serious.”
READ: DFA: Fourth Filipino killed in Israel-Hamas war
Santos cannot give a definitive answer as to when these Filipinos will be able to cross the border and be repatriated. However, he said it “should be soon.”
“I cannot give an exact date as the situation is very fluid. Also, our Filipino nationals will still need to cross the border safely to Egypt,” he emphasized.
He then cited that in previous evacuations, some were not able to exit Gaza for Egypt as the “roads were blocked and it was unsafe for them to do so.”
Filipinos caught in this situation were left behind while some had to join subsequent evacuations.
“The important thing is that so far, we have not received any information on casualties among Filipinos in Gaza,” Santos added.