Israel vows long-term support for kin of 4 Filipino fatalities in Hamas attack

The Israeli government will extend long-term support to the families of the four Filipinos who were killed during the attack of militant group Hamas in Israel.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on Unang Balita on Friday, this was the information received by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) from the Israel Embassy in the Philippines.

"Sila ay treated like an Israeli citizen, so kung ano 'yung benepisyo na nakukuha ng isang Israeli citizen, gan'un din ang ibibigay sa kanila," said OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio.

(They are treated like Israeli citizens, so their benefits are the same as those of an Israeli citizen.)

The four Filipino fatalities were Grace Prodigo Cabrera, Loreta Alacre, Angeline Aguirre, and Paul Vincent Castelvi.

Aside from assistance in burial and mourning expenses, the families of the four Filipinos will also receive monthly support and yearly cash benefits.

The Israeli Embassy has earlier said it would extend assistance not only to the families of the Filipinos killed in the violence but also to who were injured.

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss confirmed that Israel will extend assistance to foreign victims of the ongoing violence, including Filipinos.

"We recognize them as victims of terrorism and for that then they will be receiving assistance, either the parents, spouses or children accordingly," Fluss said in the Unang Balita report.

"Financial assistance, their monthly income. If they need assistance in education, in healthcare, housing... as long as they are in Israel and documented," he added.

Meanwhile, Ignacio said 58 Filipinos from Israel are set to arrive in the country on Monday, October 30.

In Lebanon, which is affected by Israel's offensive against Hezbollah, 144 Filipinos have expressed intention to go home to the Philippines. —KBK, GMA Integrated News