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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Three Pinoys trapped in Gaza amid Israeli attacks; two more cross West Bank border to Jordan

Three Pinoys trapped in Gaza amid Israeli attacks; two more cross West Bank border to Jordan

Published Dec 6, 2023 06:36 am

The Philippine Embassy in Amman confirmed that three Filipinos failed to flee war-torn Gaza Strip amid renewed Israeli attacks there, while two Filipinos were able to cross the West Bank border to Jordan.
 

Gaza_bombing.jpgSmoke billows from the Gaza's Rafah border crossing Egypt during an Israeli airstrike on Oct. 10, 2023. (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP)

 

Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos, whose embassy has jurisdiction over Filipinos and Philippine concerns in the Gaza Strip, made the confirmation in an interview with “The World Tonight” on ANC.

He said that some Filipinos got trapped in Gaza because of Israel’s attacks and failed to cross the Rafah border crossing to Egypt.

“The Embassy in Cairo waited for them but they were not able to reach because there were bombing attacks. Yesterday, they made another attempt but this time the road was closed by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces),” he added.

The incident happened after the Israel-Hamas truce, which began on Nov. 24 and was renewed twice, ended last Friday with Israel resuming its air raids in Gaza.

There are 17 Filipinos still in Gaza after a total of 120 exited through the Rafah Crossing, the only way out from Gaza Strip.

A Filipino nun, who earlier refused to leave the conflict-plagued territory, reportedly “continues to care for the displaced in a church in Gaza City.”

The envoy maintained that the Philippine government stands ready to assist the Filipinos remaining in Gaza should they change their minds about leaving.

“That’s our responsibility to our nationals. we will always assure them that we will be ready to assist them at any time but they have to leave,” he said.

“The important thing is they are safe still. Hopefully, they will be able to change their minds and leave Gaza,” the envoy added.

The embassy also shared that two more Filipinos were able to cross the border to Jordan from West Bank, where intensified raids are being conducted by Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas in southern Israel.

The breakdown of the negotiations to extend the truce sparks fear of a deeper humanitarian crisis but Israel said Hamas failed to provide a list of the names of hostages it would release in return for the truce extension.

Under the temporary ceasefire agreement, fighting was paused and humanitarian aid was allowed to enter Gaza as Hamas released hostages in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
 

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Israel West Bank Gaza Hamas attack Wilfredo Santos
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