Daily Tribune‘The safe journey of our nationals is of utmost importance, and we look forward to welcoming them home,’ he added.
The first batch of Filipino repatriates arrive from Gaza with their children and spouses.(PHOTOGRAPH BY ANTHONY CHING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_ton)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that 56 more Filipinos 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 who lived 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," said the President 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 has been a top priority of the Philippine government as it works tirelessly to ensure the safety of Filipino citizens in the region.
Militants carried out an attack in southern Israel on 7 October, leading to the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Before the conflict, approximately 30,000 Filipinos resided and worked in Israel, with many serving as caregivers for the elderly, the sick, and physically challenged individuals.
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.
