2 Pinoys among Hamas human shields? — Israel envoy says OFWs’ abduction likely

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss would neither confirm nor deny that the two missing Filipino migrant workers could be in the hands of the terrorist group Hamas.

In a virtual press conference Friday, Fluss said there were human remains that Israeli authorities have yet to identify since three weeks after Hamas stormed the Jewish nation and killed more than 1,400 individuals.

"There is no exact information if they had been kidnapped or not. We know that there are two missing and unreported OFWs, and we have not been able to identify them. There are still some, unfortunately, because of the atrocities and burning of bodies, there are still some that have not yet been identified," Fluss said.

"So, it is likely that two OFWs were kidnapped," he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said it was still verifying reports by international media and the Israeli government that two OFWs were among the roughly 120 hostages being used by Hamas as human shields.

The DFA said Malacañang would announce the situation of the two missing OFWs.

Fluss said there is a dedicated task force led by a retired general and representatives from various Israeli ministries handling the hostage issue, as one of the main goals of the Israeli government is to get the hostages released, aside from dismantling the Hamas infrastructure in Gaza.

Disturbed over pro-Hamas rally

Meanwhile, Fluss expressed his shock over Filipinos rallying in support of Hamas.

In Cotabato City on 16 October, hundreds of Filipino Muslims carrying the Palestinian flag gathered to protest Israel's bombardment of Gaza in response to the deadly cross-border raids by Hamas militants last 7 October.

Speakers at the protest called for a halt to the Israeli military operations and urged the United States and the United Nations to remain neutral in the conflict.

"I am quite shocked and disturbed that there are rallies supporting Hamas, which we know is a terror organization that murdered four Filipinos. Although I am the Israeli ambassador, this is something internal to the Philippines. But what is disturbing to me is seeing footage of the burning of the flag of Israel. To see this happening in the Philippines, which is a country with a long history of close relations and friendship with Israel, for me, is really disturbing, although it's a democracy," he said.

Economic stability

As international news media reported that the conflict could heighten the economic strains and possibly cause the Israeli government and that of its neighbors Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon to collapse, Fluss maintained that Israel is currently studying the economic impact of the war.

"But it is important to say that the Israeli airport is open and functioning. The seaports are also open, meaning there's movement of people and goods. The infrastructure for the Israeli economy and trade with other countries to continue functioning is still complete and operational," he said.

The bilateral trade between Israel and the Philippines, he said, will not be directly impacted by the war, as there are so many things that could be done to strengthen the ties, particularly in the agriculture sector.

"As you know, in agriculture, we can do a lot for the Philippines. But unfortunately, some things have to be postponed because of the war," he said.

Fluss said there are no commodity shortages in Israel more than three weeks after the war began.

"There is no shortage of food, water, and electricity. Israel is a country with all its facilities and infrastructure, and services are continuing. Generally speaking, I would say it's quieter. We are still studying the war's impact on the daily lives of Israelis, but life must go on," he said.

No humanitarian pause

The Israeli ambassador is adamant that his government will not go for a humanitarian pause, as it is in a war against the new ISIS, Hamas.

"We must make sure that Hamas cannot attack Israel again. Hamas continues to launch rockets and missiles at Israeli communities and towns all the way to Tel Aviv. This is on a daily basis. We are not talking about a ceasefire or something like that. This threat is not only to Israel but to the world at large," Fluss said.