The Philippines mourns the death of two of its citizens caught up in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants. Another Filipino is feared dead, with DNA tests currently being conducted to confirm the victim’s identity.
In a tragic turn of events, one of the deceased, a Filipino caregiver, was killed when Hamas militants stormed into their residence. Local reports quote labour official Rudy Gabasan, saying, “The militants barged into the house and gunned down the caregiver and her employer.” The details surrounding the death of the second victim remain uncertain, but authorities suspect he was among those captured by Hamas.
The Philippine Embassy in Israel announced that DNA testing is in progress to verify the identity of a possible third victim.
In a statement on Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his profound condolences, saying the country stands with the grieving families. The president personally reached out to the bereaved families, admitting these were “two of the most difficult phone calls I’ve had to make as president.” He assured, “We will provide the utmost support to the families they were taken from.”
The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to claim foreign lives. On the same day, Thailand reported that 22 of its nationals were killed amidst the escalating violence.