DFA says Alert Level 1 remains in Israel, hopes Israel ceasefire with Palestinians holds

Alert Level 1 remains in Israel after the Israeli government and Palestinian militants declared a truce, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. Under Alert Level 1 (precautionary phase), Filipinos are to take precautions before going and while traveling. The DFA said it issues Alert Level 1 "when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country." "The DFA welcomes the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and hopes that the ceasefire holds. We call on parties to exercise restraint and to respect the terms of the ceasefire," The DFA said in a statement. The truce, mediated by Egypt, was declared on Sunday by Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group after days of air strikes and rocket attacks. Forty-four Palestinians were killed, including civilians and children, Gaza officials said, according to a Reuters report. Residents in cities including Tel Aviv and Ashkelon meanwhile had to go to bomb shelters. "As of the time of this announcement, there is no report of any Filipino harmed in the conflict," the DFA said. "The DFA, through its Embassies in Tel Aviv and Amman, is monitoring the situation. The safety and security of every Filipino overseas remain the priority of the Philippine government," it added. Filipinos in the Gaza Strip and areas around it were advised by the DFA "to remain in their residences as much as possible, to avoid public areas, and to continue to monitor the security situation through the Embassies' official communication channels." The Philippine Embassy in Israel on Saturday advised Filipinos in Israel to be more cautious due to the tension in the Gaza Strip. —KG, GMA News

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