25 Pinoys in Gaza seek evacuation —DFA -- By MICHAEL DEL CALLAR, ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA Integrated News

At least 25 Filipinos - mostly women and children - from Gaza are seeking evacuation amid ongoing armed conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. "Yes , the Philippine Embassy in Amman, Jordan has received requests for repatriation from Filipinos in Gaza," Foreign Affairs spokesman Tess Daza said. "Numbers may change as some are still undecided, but as of date , 25 who have signified their intention, informed Post they want to leave Gaza," Daza added. There are a total 137 Filipinos in Gaza. Philippine diplomats in Tel Aviv said the embassy has existing contingency measures for Filipinos caught in the hostilities, which has killed at least 1,100 from Gaza and Israel, in repeated rocket attacks from both sides. Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos told reporters that the embassy is coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure safe passage to Filipinos. A Filipino man was reportedly abducted, while five others were reported missing, the DFA said. Filipinos in Israel were advised to stay indoors and follow instructions by local authorities. Israel is home to at least 30,000 workers from the Philippines. The Philippine government did not say if it will issue a travel ban to Israel or revise a security alert notice due to the ongoing conflict. On Saturday, Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years, firing rockets and deploying gunmen to several Israeli towns. A “state of war alert” was issued by Israel’s Home Front Command following the attack. Israel said the Iran-backed group had declared war as its army confirmed fighting with militants in several Israeli towns and military bases near Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, vowed to retaliate. Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. said that at least five Filipinos are unaccounted for amid the massive attack of the Palestinian militant group.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

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