Daza

2 Pinoys injured in Israel; 20 others rescued

October 9, 2023 Cristina Lee-Pisco 226 views

TWO Filipinos were injured while Israeli Defense Forces rescued 20 of the 26 Filipinos in a fierce counteroffensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas Monday.

Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Mandap said one of the injured, a male, was accidentally shot while being rescued by Israeli forces from a shelter.

Mandap said the other injured, a female, inhaled thick smoke after her house was burned down.

The Filipina and her employer, who also suffered from smoke inhalation, have been discharged from the hospital after treatment.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said based on the information verified by the Embassy as of October 9, of the 26 reported cases to the Post, 20 have been rescued and transferred to safer areas or housed in hotels.

Of the rescued, one is being treated in a hospital in Be’ersheva for minor injuries sustained during the rescue, she said.

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. said they continue to coordinate with authorities to verify about other Filipinos reportedly abducted.

A Filipina reached out to the Embassy and said that she recognized her husband could be the man being held by armed individuals and most likely brought to Gaza.

The Embassy urgently relayed this to the Israeli military authorities, Daza said.

Six Filipinos remain unaccounted for who cannot be contacted via their mobile number and social media accounts, Daza said.

She said the Embassy is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities to ascertain their condition.

Meanwhile, the Embassy issued an advisory strongly recommending against travel to Israel while the security situation remains uncertain.

“In view of the volatile security situation in Israel, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv strongly recommends that all travels from the Philippines to Israel be postponed indefinitely, or until such time that the situation improves,” the advisory says.

The same advisory said the Ben Gurion International Airport remains open and travel from Israel to the Philippines continues.

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