Manila, Philippines – Two Filipinos, believed to be among those kidnapped in Israel on October 7, are not expected to be part of the first group of hostages released by Hamas in Gaza starting Friday. This update comes amidst ongoing efforts to secure their release in a complex international situation.
According to Philippines News Agency, a truce facilitating the release of hostages was expected to begin around 1 p.m. Philippine time on Friday. Initial releases will prioritize women and children. The two missing Filipinos, presumed hostages, are not among this first group. The Philippine government has expressed hope that Israel will prioritize the release of its nationals.
Local reports indicate that Hamas will release an initial 13 civilians on Friday, part of a total of 50 hostages to be freed over four days. This release follows a deal with Israel that also includes a four-day truce between their forces. De Vega confirmed that the Israeli government believes one of the missing Filipinos, Gallenor Pacheco, is among the hostages. The status of the other, a dual citizen woman, is also assumed to be that of a hostage.
De Vega further reported that 26 Filipinos remain in Gaza, including a nun, and 88 in Lebanon are being processed for repatriation. In the West Bank, the number of Filipinos seeking repatriation has decreased, with 115 nationals still there, including nine nuns, 21 overseas Filipino workers, and 85 resident Filipinos. The Philippine Embassy in Jordan facilitated the exit of five others on Thursday, who are scheduled to arrive in Manila on Friday. Two Filipino workers from the West Bank were repatriated on November 8, following the raising of Alert Level 2 in the West Bank in October.