Israeli embassy condemns Houthi attack that killed 2 Pinoys
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
The Israeli Embassy in Manila stands in “solidarity” with the Philippines and condemned the attack by the Yemeni militant group Houthi on a ship carrying 15 Filipino crew members, two of which have died because of the attack.

Government officials and lawmakers welcome the arrival of 11 Filipino seafarers from Houthi-attacked M/V True Confidence on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (OWWA/Facebook)
In a statement, the embassy extended its “deepest condolences” to the families of the two slain Filipinos and hoped for the recovery of the three injured Filipino crew members.
“During these trying times, we express our solidarity with the Philippines and join in condemning terrorism,” it said.
“The attacks by the Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean violate the freedom of navigation, threaten the welfare of seafarers, and impact the shipment sector, supply chains, and prices of oil,” the embassy added.
The Israeli embassy also said that its “thoughts and prayers are with the affected families.”
Earlier, the Japanese and German embassies have already extended their condolences.
On Tuesday, March 12, 11 Filipinos from the M/V True Confidence arrived in Manila after they were brought to Djibouti City by an Indian-owned ship.
Although the 10 Filipinos were unharmed, the 11th sustained minor injuries but was allowed to fly. Two more Filipinos remain in a hospital in Djibouti City because of serious injuries while the bodies of the two Filipinos killed in the attack have yet to be retrieved as the ship is still being towed to Oman.
A report from the United States Central Command said that the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier M/V True Confidence was hit by a Houthi-launched anti-ship ballistic missile at around 11:30 a.m. on March 6 while in the Gulf of Aden.
True Confidence was carrying 20 crew members, including 15 Filipinos, when the missile struck it.
The attack is the first fatal strike by the Yemeni rebel group since it began attacking commercial ships in response to the Israel-Hamas war.
Houthi is an ally of Palestinian militant group Hamas.