Filipino caregiver says she witnessed elderly ward shot by Hamas --- By JP SORIANO, GMA Integrated News

Filipino caregivers recounted their harrowing experience of witnessing violence in the early hours of Saturday at Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the Gaza border, where they and their elderly wards were staying. The Hamas group, whose members had crossed the border, perpetrated the violence. As sirens wailed due to the impending airstrikes, Mariza and her elderly Israeli ward went to a bomb shelter called "Mammad" in Hebrew. Unbeknownst to them, the Hamas group had already infiltrated the border. Mariza witnessed her elderly ward being shot and had to protect both herself and her employer. “Nakita ko mismo si Lolo pinagbabaril sa sala. Nakita ko sa pinto kasi nakatayo lang ako dun, tinitignan ko si Lolo sa may sala nanonood ng TV, bigla na lang nagpuputukan sa may sala. Nakita ko dun sa upuan ni Lolo, doon mismo tumama 'yung bala as in rat-rat talaga sobra. Si Lolo tumayo pa siya tapos pagtayo niya, ayun bumagsak na siya," Mariza told GMA Integrated News. Mariza added, “Talagang alerto ako, hindi ko alam paano ko nasara 'yung Mammad, 'yung pinto n'un kasi sobrang hirap isara, 'di ko alam kung saan nanggaling 'yung strength ko. Pero nag-stay kami ni Lola dun sa loob, talagang nagyakapan kami. Akala ko papasukin kami dun sa Mammad." "Akala ko katapusan ko na, pero salamat pa din dininig ni God 'yung panalangin namin," she further said. While Mariza and her employer were hiding in the bomb shelter, other Filipina caregivers also sought refuge in their respective shelters in Kibbutz Nahal. Rubylyn Noga, one of the caregivers, described their proximity from the Gaza Strip, stating that they could see the border, barbed wire, and hear the commotion even on ordinary days. She also mentioned receiving warnings of an imminent bomb attack. "As in borderline lang talaga makita mo na 'yung Gaza. Ano na po siya barbed wire, Gaza na. Kitang kita po namin kahit sa ordinary days, dinig na dinig namin ang nangyayari sa Gaza. Ngayon kung warning po iniisa-isa na po kami ng head ng Kibbuts namin na nagwa-warning na may darating na bomba," Rubylyn said. Not only bombs, but actual Hamas members managed to enter the controlled area of Kibbutz Nahal, causing the Filipina caregivers to hide for hours. Eventually, Israeli soldiers knocked on their doors, identified themselves, and offered to evacuate them to safety. However, due to lack of prior communication and uncertain circumstances, the caregivers hesitated to open their doors. It was only when they finally opened the door that they saw the soldiers. Rubylyn said, “Hindi rin kami tinigilan, sir, sa kakakatok as in Kol B'seder (Are you fine)? Saabi nila, OK lang ba kayo. Tapos hanggang hindi namin binubuksan hindi po sila tumitigil sa pagkatok tapos nung binuksan namin ni Lola, pagbukas namin talagang mga sundalo po sila." The Israeli Defense Forces immediately inspected the housing facility where the caregivers lived and worked to make sure there were no remaining or hidden Hamas forces. Subsequently, the Pinoy caregivers, along with their Israeli wards and their families, were transported in military vehicles to Mishmar HaEmek in the northern part of Israel. Along the journey, they passed by burning facilities near the Gaza border. Despite being safe in Mishmar HaEmek, the group of caregivers, including Mariza, could not sleep as they discussed their experiences and worried about other Filipinos they knew who were reported missing or affected by the conflict. According to Sally Macadini, one of the caregivers rescued by the Israeli forces near the Gaza border: "Yung isang kasama namin doon ang sabi po napagkamalan pong terrorist si Kuya Joel, binaril po, nabaril po siya. Hindi po namin alam hanggang ngayon kung buhay pa ba o nasa osptal na po ba." The Philippine Embassy in Israel has not provided specific details regarding "Kuya Joel" but urged Filipinos in Gaza to remain alert and in contact with the Embassy. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared "mighty vengeance" against Hamas in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have already begun targeting Hamas leaders' residences. A total of 137 Filipinos are currently in Gaza, according to the Philippine Embassy in Jordan, which has jurisdiction over Filipinos in Gaza. The Embassy has issued a warning for Filipinos to remain vigilant and stay in contact through official communication channels. 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 spokesperson Tess Daza said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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