A former Dubai resident and current caregiver, Carmilla Figueras Jesalva, protected her 95-year-old patient by offering her entire savings to a Hamas gunman on October 7.
According to reports, the incident occurred in Kibbutz Nirim when their residence was intruded upon by Hamas gunmen. Jesalva, in her bid to ensure the safety of her elderly patient Nitza Hefetz, concealed her in a safe room. Unfortunately, a gunman discovered their hiding spot.
Confronted with the dire situation, Jesalva handed over 1,500 shekels ($370) to the armed intruder, pleading for their lives. The sudden activity roused the elderly Hefetz, who began to express her discontent. The Filipina caregiver quickly urged her patient to remain silent. The assailant departed after failing to find anything else of worth.
After the heart-stopping episode, the duo stayed inside the room for over nine hours, gripped with fear. Jesalva, in particular, was petrified, anxious about the possibility of not reuniting with her family and son. The money she sacrificed was meant for her forthcoming vacation to Manila.
Emerging from their residence, they were met with the devastating sight of their community ablaze. Tragically, some of Jesalva’s acquaintances lost their lives. The Philippine Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of four Filipino workers in the strikes.
Having previously worked in Dubai as a waitress, Jesalva relocated to Israel in 2018. Post this traumatic experience, both she and Hefetz are now availing trauma care in a Jerusalem facility.
The elderly patient’s family lauded her bravery on social platforms, dubbing her an “angel”. In recognition of her valor, a remittance company also honored Jesalva for her heroic actions.