DFA confirms 39 Filipinos remain in Gaza

The Department of Foreign Affairs reported Saturday that 39 Filipinos are still in Gaza amid the ongoing attack of Hamas Militants in Israel.

This was confirmed by DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega who said that some Filipinos do not want to leave Gaza.

"There are 39 Filipinos still in Gaza… Some of them do not want to leave… Others will only leave if their Palestinian wife or husband will be allowed to leave with them," de Vega said in an interview.

In the middle of October, the Philippines raised Alert Level 4 in Gaza which implies that the evacuation for Filipinos in Gaza is mandatory.

During the conflict between Israeli forces and the militant group Hamas, two Filipino doctors were the first to leave Gaza and enter Egypt through the Rafah crossing. The two doctors were followed by 40 Filipinos on Wednesday, and 56 more on Friday.

De Vega urged the Filipinos to immediately cross the borders if there was an opportunity.

"The border is not open every day. Next time there is an opportunity, please cross the border," de Vega said.

The DFA also reported that some of the Palestinian spouses of Filipinos in Gaza were not given clearance to exit.

There were a total of 137 Filipinos in Gaza when the conflict between Israel and Hamas started.

According to de Vega, there have been cases where Palestinians have been permitted to leave Gaza but not given entry permits by Egypt.

"For instance, if someone has been cleared by the Palestinian side when he arrives in Egypt, he has to undergo a security check again. Some are not approved even if already given clearance by Israel," de Vega said.

Israel launched air strikes against Gaza after Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages.