Filipinos out of Gaza now 98; dozen more cross Rafah border: envoy

OUT OF HARM’S WAY. The 14 Filipino nationals and their families who safely crossed into Egypt through the Rafah border in Gaza on Nov. 10, 2023. Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said Saturday (Nov. 11, 2023) the third batch of overseas Filipinos will travel to Cairo, where another Philippine Embassy team will assist them with their accommodations and arrange their flights home. (Photo: Philippine Embassy in Egypt/Facebook)

MANILA – The total number of Filipinos able to safely leave the conflict-stricken Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas war broke out has reached 98, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt announced Saturday.

This was after a third batch of 14 Filipinos finally crossed the Rafah border and entered the Egyptian territory on Nov. 10.

Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said the 14 were accompanied by their Palestinian families and were welcomed by the embassy team led by Vice Consul Bojer Capati.

“This third batch of OFs (overseas Filipinos) will travel to Cairo, and another team of the Philippine Embassy in Cairo will assist them to their accommodations and will arrange their flights home,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega earlier said 56 Filipinos were allowed to exit the border but the 14 decided to stay after their Palestinian relatives were “not cleared by Egyptian authorities at the border.”

On Friday, 34 Filipinos along with a Palestinian national were repatriated to the Philippines.

The group was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.