Mandatory repatriation still not recommended despite deaths of 2 Pinoys in Israel -embassy

The Philippine Embassy in Israel said mandatory repatriation is still not being recommended in Israel despite two Filipinos being killed amid the attacks.

At a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. disclosed that the Filipinos were killed on Saturday, the first day of the attack perpetrated by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. The embassy also said the situation has improved since then.

"Actually we're not recommending that because these fatalities happen during the day of the attack and the situation, the Israeli Defense Forces have already regained the areas attacked by the Hamas," Laylo said.

Laylo said that the two victims were killed in a kibbutz. He added that the family requested not to disclose the identities of the fatalities and the circumstances of their deaths.

The Embassy said the fatalities were a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan, who was working in Israel for six years, and a 42-year-old male from Pampanga.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier reported that six Filipinos remain missing.

Two Filipinos were also injured from the massive attacks and are now recovering, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo vowed that the Philippine government will continue to provide all possible assistance to distressed Filipinos nationals in Israel and Palestine.

On Saturday, Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years, firing rockets and deploying gunmen to several Israeli towns.

A “state of war alert” was issued by Israel’s Home Front Command thereafter.

Israel said the Iran-backed group had declared war as its army confirmed fighting with militants in several Israeli towns and military bases near Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, vowed to retaliate.

The death toll due to the attacks have reportedly reached 1,200, public broadcaster Kan reported, according to Reuters. —KG, GMA Integrated News