Repatriated Middle East OFWs breach 2.5K

The total number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from conflict-hit areas in the Middle East has reached 2,532, along with 89 dependents, as 2024 comes to a close.

According to Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Felicitas Bay, the latest batch of six OFWs is scheduled to arrive on Monday, 30 December.

Since the Philippine government began its voluntary repatriation program on 18 October last year, 1,402 OFWs and 59 dependents have been brought home from Lebanon, while 1,122 workers and 30 dependents have returned from Israel.

The most recent batch of 20 OFWs from Israel arrived on 28 December. Additionally, six OFWs have been repatriated from the West Bank and two from Gaza.

While Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement in November, violations persist. As of 4 December, the Israeli army had committed 129 ceasefire breaches, with additional violations on 6 and 7 December resulting in seven civilian deaths.

To date, no Filipino casualties have been reported amid the ongoing conflict.