Pinoys in 3 areas affected by Israel-Hamas conflict evacuated —OWWA

By CONSUELO MARQUEZ, GMA News Published May 16, 2021 11:18am An Israeli air strike Saturday demolished the 13-floor building housing Qatar-based Al Jazeera television and American news agency The Associated Press in the Gaza Strip, AFP journalists said. Filipinos staying in areas impacted by the ongoing clashes between Israeli security forces and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip have been evacuated, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's Hans Leo Cacdac said Sunday. Cacdac said over "Dobol B TV" that embassy officials prepared contingency measures to keep Filipinos away from Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Gaza Strip where tensions arise. "Sa ngayon, in-country evacuation at least sa 3 apektadong area" (At least in three affected areas, for now), he said. Cacdac added that the three areas include: the Ashkelon and Ashdod areas nearest to Gaza Strip going to Tel Aviv, and the "Gaza Strip itself." So far, he said, there are no reported casualties among Filipinos in the said countries in conflict. As of January, the foreign affairs department said 29,473 Filipinos are living and working in Israel. Of the number, most are employed as caregivers and household service workers. At least 35 were killed in Gaza and five in Israel following airstrikes carried out by both sides — the heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since 2014. —LBG, GMA News

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