Six Filipinos missing amid Israel-Hamas conflict – DFA

People walk around the ruins of a building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8, 2023. Fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian militant group Hamas raged on October 8, with hundreds killed on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn they were “embarking on a long and difficult war.” (Photo by Mohammed ABED / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Another Filipino was reported missing amid an ongoing conflict happening in Israel, bringing to six the total number of Filipinos unaccounted for, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday, October 9, 2023.

Citing the Philippine Ambassador in Tel Aviv, the DFA said a Filipino reached out to the Embassy after recognizing her husband in one of the videos circulating on social media, which shows a man being held by armed individuals — most likely brought to Gaza in Palestine.

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The embassy then relayed it to Israeli authorities, assuring the public that it was already working with community contacts to verify the man’s whereabouts.

“The Embassy is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities and community contacts to ascertain their condition. We continue to await feedback from them,” the Embassy said.

Meanwhile, the DFA said 20 Filipinos have already been rescued and transferred to safe houses or hotels amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Of the 20 rescued, one individual is currently treated in a hospital due to moderate injuries sustained during rescue, while another is recovering in a hotel after being treated for smoke inhalation.

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