President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that 56 more Filipino citizens have been successfully evacuated from Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In a social media post on Friday, Marcos said the evacuees joined the initial group of 42 who had previously crossed, bringing the total number of Filipinos evacuated to 98 out of the 137 in Gaza.
"Happy to hear the update that 56 more Filipinos have left Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, joining the 42 who had previously crossed," Marcos Jr. said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"The safe journey of our nationals is of utmost importance, and we look forward to welcoming them home," he added.
The evacuation efforts have been a top priority for the Philippine government as they worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of their citizens during the heightened tensions in the region.
Militants carried out an attack in southern Israel on October 7, leading to the outbreak of a conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Before the conflict, approximately 30,000 Filipinos were residing and working in Israel, with many serving as caregivers for the elderly, the sick, and individuals with physical disabilities.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the remittances they sent back to the Philippines were crucial in supporting the country's economy during these challenging times.
