By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not received reports of Filipinos injured or killed as a result of the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and its surrounding regions.
DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has already issued an Emergency Advisory on July 8 urging the Filipino community in Israel to take precautionary measures, avoid crowded places which may be possible targets of attacks, and to heed the safety advisories issued by the local and national Israeli authorities.
According to Jose, for concerns and emergencies, Filipinos can contact the embassy in Tel Aviv’s hotline number at 054-466-1188.
The DFA continue to closely monitor the security situation in Israel.
In its advisory issued following the continued rocket attacks from Gaza this week, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv advised Filipinos to take precautionary measures whenever Code Red sirens are activated in their respective vicinities.
According to the Embassy, the Tel Aviv Municipality has also announced that it has opened all emergency shelters for the public.
The Philippine Embassy said approximately 31,000 Filipinos work and live in Israel. A large majority is concentrated in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa.
There is also a considerable number of Filipinos working in Beersheva, Netanya, Rehovot and Rishon Lezion. However, most of them maintain apartments in Tel Aviv where they normally spend their weekends.
Most of the Filipinos in Israel work as caregivers. There is also a small fraction working in hotels and restaurants. Women outnumber men with a ratio of six to one.
Based on latest reports, Israeli air strikes have continued to shake the Gaza Strip.
At least 41 civilians, including 12 children, were among the 47 Palestinian reportedly killed in two days of fighting, and about 300 people have been wounded./PN
