Filipina caregiver gives savings to Hamas militant to save self, 95-year-old ward

To save herself and her employer from danger, a Filipino caregiver gave away her savings and smartphone to a Hamas militant who entered their residence in a kibbutz in Nirim during the deadly October 7 attack.

Camille Jesalva, 31, and her 95-year-old employer, Nitza Hefetz, woke up to the sound of incoming rocket and mortar fire on the morning of the incident, prompting them to seek cover in a bomb shelter, media analyst Emmanuel Miller said on X (formerly Twitter).

Jesalva tried to close the door of the protected room, but to no avail. Outside, she heard people talking and realized they were conversing in Arabic.

One of the militants entered the bomb shelter, and the Filipina came face-to-face with the Hamas group member. Without a second thought, she fished out her wallet and told him to take away the money she saved for a trip to the Philippines worth NIS 1,500 ($370). 

A migrant worker, Jesalva has been working for Hefetz for five years now. She planned to use the money to travel home. 

“Unbelievably, that's exactly what happened. The terrorists took the money and went away,” said Miller. 

The armed militant took Jesalva’s smartphone and money. After he left, the women hugged each other until help arrived about three hours later. 

In a separate report, The Times of Israel said Hefetz’s daughter, Yael Arieli, called Jesalva an angel and thanked her for saving her mother. 

The Filipina decided to stay in Israel to take care of Hefetz but is still hoping to return to the Philippines in a month, the report added. 

“The story has touched thousands of Israelis, who deeply appreciate the kindness and humanity of a person caught up in an awful situation that has little to do with them, yet decided to make the choice to act with true love,” said Miller. —Sundy Locus/KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News