Pinoys in Israel told to be vigilant amid tensions in Gaza, Lebanon
THE Philippine Embassy in Israel advised Filipinos there to be vigilant and stay away from Golan Heights and places near the Lebanon and Gaza borders.
Filipino nationals were told to take necessary precautions when riding public vehicles and, as much as possible, refrain from going to crowded places following tensions between Palestinian militants and Israel.
About 30,000 Filipino workers are in Israel, mostly working as caregivers.
The Government of Israel on Friday launched an airstrike on “Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip,” killing a top commander of a Palestinian militant group and nine others, including a five-year-old kid, and wounding 55 others. This triggered a retaliatory rocket barrage from the Islamic Jihad militant group.
“Maging maingat at mapagmatyag sa paligid. Iwasan at ipagpaliban din muna ang pagpunta sa maselang lugar katulad ng Golan Heights, mga lugar na malapit sa border ng Lebanon at ang border ng Gaza,” the Philippine Embassy in Israel told Filipinos in the area.
Citing the Home Front Command, Embassy officials said educational activities are also prohibited in the Gaza Envelope and South Israel.
The United Nations (UN) said the continuing escalation is “very dangerous” and urged concerned parties to halt the launch of rockets immediately.
Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process on Saturday, said, “the launching of rockets must cease immediately, and I call on all sides to avoid further escalation.”
“The progress made in gradually opening Gaza since the end of May escalation risks being undone, leading to even greater humanitarian needs at a time when global resources are stretched and international financial support for a renewed humanitarian effort in Gaza will not be easily available,” he added.
