Released Filipino hostage to receive full benefits from Israeli gov’t

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino who was recently released from Hamas custody will receive lifelong benefits from the Israeli government, the Philippine Embassy in Israel announced on Sunday.

The Filipino worker, Jimmy Pacheco, was taken hostage on October 7 and has spent 49 days in captivity until his release on Saturday.

“The Israeli Government will provide Jimmy and his immediate family lifetime social security benefits and regular stipends similar to those given to Israelis who are victims of terrorist attacks,” the embassy said in a post on Facebook.

READ: Marcos confirms Filipino hostage released by Hamas

In the same Facebook post, the embassy said that Pacheco met with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen who told him that Israel “exerted all effort” in his eventual release.

READ: ‘Alive because of the Lord’: Filipino among freed hostages

Pacheco, a caregiver, is one of 24 hostages recently released as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas – an agreement that has resulted in a temporary cessation of hostilities in Gaza.