Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — The Philippine Embassy in Egypt on Monday said eight more Filipinos and a Palestinian relative were able to safely cross the Rafah border from Gaza to Egypt.
Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said the group crossed the Rafah border on Dec. 2 and traveled around 10 hours by land before arriving in Cairo on Dec. 3.
Tago added a team led by Vice Consul Crystal Ann Dunuan was stationed at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border to assist the group.
The envoy said the group will take the earliest available flight to return to the country.
As of Dec. 3, only 18 Filipinos remain in the war-torn enclave, according to the envoy.
Out of 137 Filipinos who were in Gaza when the war between Israel and militant group Hamas broke out, a total of 119 had already crossed over to Egypt for safety.
The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping over 200 more. Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza after launching airstrikes in retaliation.
At least 15,207 people were killed and at least 40,652 others were injured as a result of Israeli attacks in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to spokesperson Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra for the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza.
