The Department of Migrant Workers confirmed on Monday that at least two more batches of overseas Filipino workers are arriving from Israel this week.

DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said the fifth batch of repatriates will arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 3:15 p.m. today via Etihad Airways flight EY 424. Also arriving will be the cremated remains of one of the OFWs slain by Hamas terrorists on 7 October.

 Cacdac said this batch of repatriates consists of 22 OFWs — 19 caregivers and three hotel workers. A baby is also coming in with the group, he added.

The remains of OFW Grace Prodigo-Cabrera will also be arriving, brought back by her sister, Mary June Prodigo, who is with the latest group of returnees.

Cabrera was among the four Filipinos who were killed by the terror group Hamas which attacked Israel last 7 October killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

 The DMW confirmed that 42 OFWs will comprise the sixth batch of repatriates set to arrive tomorrow. The arrivals will bring to 184 the total number of OFWs who have come back from Israel.

 Cacdac said the DMW expects more OFWs to return as the conflict between Israel and Hamas is unlikely to abate in the near future.

On Sunday, 20 OFWs who were supposed to exit Gaza by way of the Rafah Crossing to Egypt were held back along with other foreigners seeking to escape the fierce fighting in the Palestinian enclave.

The 20 were hoping to cross to safety yesterday but there was no word yet from the authorities on the passage of foreigners out of Gaza on Monday at press time.