FILE PHOTO: Israeli army troops are seen on the Israeli-Gaza border during a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip as they press ahead with their war against Hamas militants in retaliation for the group’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 34 Filipinos who were caught in the armed conflict in Gaza arrived in Manila on Saturday.
The 34 Filipinos, who crossed into Egypt from Gaza through the Rafah border bridge before flying to the Philippines, were mostly spouses and dependents of Palestinian nationals, according to the DFA.
READ: Palestinian spouses of Filipinos in Gaza will be allowed to go to Egypt – DFA
DFA secretary Enrique Manalo acknowledged Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for facilitating the return of the Filipinos.
“This would not have been possible without the determination and courage of our DFA personnel, especially those in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Amman,” Manalo said.
READ: 46 Filipinos in Gaza Strip get approval to leave Israel, says DFA
“We are also very grateful to Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for extending assistance in the departure of our nationals”, he added.
The DFA said it is arranging the exit of more Filipinos from Gaza as another batch of Filipinos is currently undergoing processes at the Rafah border crossing.
READ: DFA exec: Egypt vows to give priority to Filipinos moving out of Gaza