The Philippines Senate on Sunday condemned the ongoing attacks of the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist Hamas on Israel.

"We strongly condemn the violence committed by terrorists against innocent civilians in the ongoing conflict in Israel," Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said in a statement.

"We deplore the taking of hostages and seek their immediate release. Neither freedom nor justice can truly be won through this kind of violence," he added.

Zubiri also called on various government agencies to ensure the safety of almost 30,000 overseas Filipino workers in the Middle Eastern country.

"We call upon the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other Philippine government agencies to secure our overseas Filipinos and ensure safe passage if necessary. We urge the full utilization of the Assistance to Nationals Fund for this purpose," he said.

The Senate President said he is one with the world in praying for the safety of those affected, especially the thousands of Filipinos in Israel.

"I pray for all who are affected by this conflict, particularly the thousands of our Filipino brothers and sisters. May the Lord cover you all," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva echoed the Senate chief's declaration of support for Israel.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless attacks of Hamas on Israel," Villanueva said in a separate statement.

"Violence has no place in this world and there is certainly no excuse that can justify these inhumane attacks," he added.

He continued: "This kind of violence must end. We stand in solidarity and offer our prayers to the people of Israel during this challenging time."

Likewise, the Senate majority leader also called on the DFA and the DMW to provide any assistance to the Filipinos affected by the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Senator Grace Poe also called for the safety of Filipinos in Israel, particularly those living near the battle zones.

"Concerned government agencies must ensure that our kababayan, especially those living near the battle zones, are moved to secure shelters or halfway houses," Poe said.

The senator said repatriation should be calibrated for those who want to go home while the borders are still open.

"The government through the OWWA has a standby fund for repatriation of our OFWs in distress. This should be utilized efficiently," she said, referring to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

"As we hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, we have to act with dispatch so that no Filipinos will be included in the count of casualties," she added.

According to the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, the surprise attack of Hamas in Israel left more than 250 people dead and over 1,600 injured.