Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is “hopeful” that a diplomatic solution will be reached soon for Filipinos to leave Gaza via the Rafah Crossing which connects to the Egyptian border.
DFA is hopeful for a diplomatic solution to be reached soonest in order for the Rafah crossing to start receiving foreign nationals, so that our kababayans [countrymen] in Gaza will be allowed to cross into Egypt,” the DFA said in a statement Monday.From there, our teams will work on their repatriation to the Philippines,” it added.
The DFA has raised the crisis level in Gaza City to alert level 4 after the Israel Defense Forces said on Saturday it was “preparing to implement a wide range of operational offensive plans” against militant group Hamas.
The status means repatriation from the Palestinian enclave is now mandatory, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urging Filipinos to return to the country.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said 78 Filipinos were already at the crossing but Egypt’s borders are still closed to foreigners.
Around 92 out of 137 Filipinos in Gaza are asking to be repatriated.
