Filipinos Begin Departure from Gaza Amid Conflict

QUEZON CITY — Forty-three Filipinos are set to depart Gaza and return to the Philippines, commencing a repatriation process divided into two groups, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the first group of 20 will arrive on Sunday, with the subsequent 23 expected by either Monday or Tuesday. These Filipinos, along with their children, have been residing in Gaza, which has seen escalating tensions since October 7 due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Upon arrival, the government, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), is prepared to provide accommodation and transportation for the returnees. They are also slated to receive additional assistance as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. These individuals are among the 134 stranded in the Gaza Strip, now authorized to cross the Rafah border.

De Vega acknowledged that not all Filipinos would be leaving Gaza, as some Palestinian spouses faced restrictions on exit permissions. He assured that the Philippine government would persist in negotiations to facilitate their departure.

Adding to the repatriation efforts, de Vega mentioned that another group of 50 Filipinos employed in Israel is expected to arrive on Monday and Tuesday. This follows the DFA’s October 15 directive for mandatory repatriation due to heightened military actions in the region.

The Anadolu news agency has reported that the ongoing hostilities have severed connections between thousands of Palestinian workers in Israel and their families in Gaza. Despite nearly 18,500 Gazans receiving Israeli work permits since October 2021, many were in Gaza for Jewish holidays when the conflict escalated. Anadolu has reported nearly 10,800 fatalities in the conflict, predominantly Palestinian, with substantial Israeli losses as well.