Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss visited the wake of Filipina nurse Angelyn Aguirre, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died alongside her Israeli ward when her village was ambushed by Palestinian militant group Hamas last month.

In a Facebook post, the ambassador shared about how he condoled with the family of Aguirre in Binmaley, Pangasinan.

There, he met with Aguirre’s parents, siblings, husband, and the aunt who raised her since she was five.

“It was one of the most difficult tasks as the Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines. But it was also so rewarding in being able to comfort and connect to a really good and warm Filipino family,” Fluss wrote.

The envoy was joined by Pangasinan
Governor Ramon Guico III and Binmaley Mayor Pedro Merrera III.

During his visit, Aguirre’s family shared with him about her “love and care” for her family, including her nephews and nieces.

“She was smart, she even learned Hebrew to be able to communicate with her Israeli patient easier,” Fluss said.

“It was heartbreaking to learn that she lived with Nicolas (Aguirre’s husband) for one week only after their wedding, and that they were planning to have a family by next year,” he added.

The ambassador shared about “crying together” with Aguirre’s family.

“I shared with the family the Israeli experience and some of the Jewish customs in times of mourning. I shared with them the departing words when we leave the mourners - may God Comfort you with the rest of the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem,” Fluss wrote.

The remains of Aguirre, who died during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on her southern Israeli village after she chose to stay by her patient’s side, arrived in the country on Friday, Nov. 3.

She is one of at least four Filipinos confirmed to have died since Israel’s war with Palestinian militant group Hamas broke out.