Some OFWs in Israel want guarantee they may return to jobs

Some Filipino workers in Israel are considering going home amid the escalating tension in Gaza Strip, but appealed for assurance that they will be able to return to their jobs.

"Sana mapag-usapan din yung kasiguraduhan na pwede po kaming bumalik dito sa Israel," overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Rosielyn Asistores said on a "24 Oras" report by JP Soriano.

"Andito ang pag-asa ng marami sa laki po ng sahod dito," she added.

Evacuation of Filipinos in Gaza through Israel is not currently possible due to aerial bombardments in the Gaza-Israel border. 

Leaving the city also needs the permission of the Israeli government "to allow the safe passage of our nationals when entering Israel," Ambassador Wilfredo Santos of the Philippine Embassy in Jordan said.

Passage through Egypt is also unsafe as its exit point has also been under attack.

"The exit point in Egypt has been under attack so at this point it may not be free for our nationals to leave to that exit point," Santos said.

The ambassador said the help of other countries and the United Nations is crucial to pave the way for a "humanitarian corridor" where evacuees may pass.

OFWs continue to share harrowing tales of violence from Israel as they try to survive each day in the middle of the battle.

"'Yung sa gitna naming bahay yung patay, pinagbabaril nila, pumasok yung mga Hamas," Rebecca Sabado said.

She said that while she was able to escape the attack, the fear remains about their safety.

Dailyn Banga, another OFW, said, "May kasamahan po kami dito sa hotel, siya po ay nakasama sa hostage.  Nabalitaan po namin ngayon siya na po pala ay pinatay na."

Rockets fired in Gaza can be heard  Tel-Aviv in central-west Israel.

"Iyung mga bintana namin dito yumayanig dito yung impact po ng bomba yumayanig na yung salamin...pinababa po kami sa shelter," Rosielyn Asistores, another OFW said.

Two Filipinos were killed following the attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippines "condemns the killing of two (2) Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel."

"The Philippines is ready to work with other countries towards a long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law," Manalo said.

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

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that the Philippines stands with Israel following the deadly attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Marcos gave the assurance as Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss met him at the Malacañang Palace to discuss the latest situation in Israel.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News