DMW: 60 OFWs repatriated from Israel --- By SHERYLIN UNTALAN, GMA Integrated News

A total of 60 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel arrived on Thursday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). With this, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and DMW have assisted in bringing home 879 Filipinos from Israel as tensions in the Middle East have dragged on for over seven months. "This is the largest batch of returning OFWs to come home to the Philippines, availing of the government's voluntary repatriation program in the wake of the hostilities that erupted in October last year between Israel and Hamas, the militant Palestinian group," said the DMW. One OFW was unable to board the flight back to Manila after she felt ill. The Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office—Abu Dhabi officers have brought her to the hospital for treatment and observation. She is expected to continue her journey home when medical authorities declare her fit for travel. The repatriates arrived onboard Etihad Airlines flight EY424. Violence erupted between Israel and Hamas on October 7 after the Palestinian Islamist group launched deadly attacks on southern Israel. Israel retaliated with airstrikes and later launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the stronghold of the Hamas. Last April, some Filipinos in Israel expressed worry over the heightening tension between the country and Iran, which supports the Hamas. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier placed Israel under Alert Level 2 following Hamas' attack last October. The DFA said that Alert Level 2 entails restriction of non-essential movements, avoiding places of protest, and preparation for possible evacuation. Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation phase while Alert Level 4 calls for mandatory evacuation or repatriation. At least 1,000 Filipinos are in Iran while around 27,000 are in Israel. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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