Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 5) – The departure of 20 Filipinos from Gaza was moved on Monday after a recent exchange of attacks at the Rafah crossing border postponed their exit.
“They were supposed to leave today, Sunday. But they suspended the movement of personnel or foreign nationals yesterday because of supposedly Hamas attacks going near the border. Of course, the Hamas, on the other hand, blame the Israelis,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Sunday.
The Filipinos are expected to arrive in the Philippines by Thursday, Nov. 9, if they successfully cross the Rafah border on Monday, De Vega said.
He said they would be granted transport visas when they get to Egypt and that the Philippine Embassy in Cairo will process their return to Manila.
Of the 136 Filipinos in Gaza, 115 wanted to leave the enclave but most opted to stay and not abandon their Palestinian family members.
“We are also making representations for their Palestinian relatives but absolutely, there’s no guarantee. This is not our call,” De Vega said.
De Vega earlier said the Israeli government has allowed all Filipinos to leave Gaza.
The second batch of Filipinos that will cross the Rafah border crossing has yet to be scheduled, he added.
Two Filipino physicians were among the 22 staff members of the international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders who exited through the border crossing on Thursday.
