Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) — Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss on Monday said Filipinos in the Jewish state will be protected the same way as their citizens, as the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Fluss said he raised the concern regarding overseas Filipino workers in Israel to the minister of foreign affairs on Sunday.
“His answer was very clear, and that’s the policy of the Israeli government, we take care of the foreign workers in Israel, of the Filipinos in Israel the same as we take care of the Israeli citizens and Israeli nationals,” the envoy said.
Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on Saturday. In retaliation, Israel conducted air strikes on Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory bordering the eastern and northern parts of Israel.
The Philippine government said there were no reported deaths among Filipinos there, but at least two were injured.
More than 700 Israelis, including children and elderlies, were killed in the ongoing war. Fluss said more than 100 were held captive by the attackers.
Fluss also said Israel has tapped tens of thousands of reservists to help defend the state. His children were among those recruited, he added.
“We are still seeing more efforts to penetrate into Israel, just a few hours ago also from the sea there was another attack and some are still hiding within Israel in order to attack more Israelis,” he added.
The envoy said Israel is slowly gaining control despite the continuous presence of Hamas fighters. Those living near the affected areas were evacuated and were given assistance.
The ambassador also said there may be no solution or agreement to end the issue for now.
“International support is very important in order to give Israel the sense of legitimacy of protecting itself from the terrible terror attack,” he added.
The Philippines is among the countries that condemned the attack on Israel.
