Israel's Herzog meets husband of Pinay caregiver killed in airstrike

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has met with the husband of Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, the Filipina caregiver who was killed in an Iranian airstrike in Tel Aviv, to express condolences on her tragic passing. 

Herzog welcomed Bernie Lavares at the Beit HaNassi (President’s House) in Jerusalem, according to the social media post of the Philippine Embassy in Israel on Thursday evening. 

“On behalf of the State of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to Mary Ann’s family and the entire nation of the Philippines,” said Herzog.

The Israeli President assured Lavares of financial assistance and monthly stipend under Israel’s national insurance system following De Vera’s death. He also thanked the Filipino community for their contributions to Israel. 

De Vera, who had been working in Israel since 2019, died after she was struck by a sharpnel from a missile attack. Her remains are set to be repatriated on evening of Thursday, March 12, with her arrival expected on Friday, March 13. 

She will be accompanied by her husband.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the State of Israel Aileen Mendiola thanked Herzog for his country’s assistance to the bereaved family. She also conveyed the grief of the Filipino community over the loss of De Vera and five other Filipinos who perished during the war with Iran last year as well as during the October 7 attacks.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated over a week ago following the joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier urged all parties involved in the Middle East tensions to exercise restraint as he expressed hope for a swift ceasefire to end the hostilities. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News