Marcos: Nation grieving over deaths of two Pinoys killed by Hamas

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said Thursday the nation is in grief over the deaths of two Filipinos killed by Hamas terror group.

"Last night, I made two of the most difficult phone calls I've had to make as President. The nation is one in grieving with the families of the Filipinos who were killed in the attacks on Israel," he said.

The President said informing the families of the fallen Filipinos amid the tragedy was a tough thing to do.

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.

At a Palace press briefing Wednesday, an official from the Philippine Embassy in Israel said that the victims were killed in kibbutz on the first day of the attack.

Labor Attaché Rudy Gabasan said one of the fatalities was gunned down by the members of the militant group as they tried to open the doors of their residence. The other fatality was supposedly seized by the Hamas group, he added.

A third Filipino fatality, meanwhile, is being confirmed through DNA testing, according to the Philippine Embassy in Israel.

"We will provide the utmost support to the families they were taken from," Marcos added.

Likewise, the President said such tragedy will not deter the Filipino spirit.

"We will continue to stand for peace," he said.

Marcos earlier said that the Philippines stands with Israel following the deadly attacks by Hamas.

But also on Thursday, Palestine Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Mohammad said world leaders who expressed support to Israel amid its conflict with Palestinian militant group Hamas gave a "wrong message" to Israel, resulting in massacre of the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip.—AOL, GMA Integrated News