The number of Filipinos wishing to return home in Gaza has increased to 115, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Thursday.
Compared to the 78 Filipinos who had previously asked to be repatriated, this is an increase. In Gaza, there are 134 Filipinos in total.
“We’re awaiting Israel’s Authority before granting entry to the Filipinos,” Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega of the DFA stated in an interview with ANC.
Sixty Filipinos, according to the DFA, are awaiting passage across the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza.
Five hundred foreigners and dual citizens were permitted by Egyptian officials to cross via Rafah on November 1. Among them are two physicians from Doctors Without Borders (MFS) who are Filipino.
“They are overseen by Physicians Without Borders. Both have crossed over. They’ll be staying in Arish, the town nearest the border, and they’ll be travelling to Cairo shortly,” De Vega said to ANC.
According to De Vega, the two doctors will be stationed somewhere else and won’t be going back to the Philippines.
Following an Israeli embargo on Israel and the West Bank, the Rafah crossing is the sole border point where civilians can be evacuated from Gaza.
On October 30, sixty Filipinos who were working abroad in Israel were able to return home, making it the fourth group of OFWs to do so.
