Israel condemns Houthi strike; condoles with PH over fatalities

MANILA – The Israel Embassy in Manila sent its condolences to the Philippines over the death of two Filipinos following a Houthi missile attack that hit their vessel bulk carrier MV True Confidence while transiting the Gulf of Aden last week.

In a statement on Tuesday, the embassy condemned all acts of terrorism and stood in solidarity with the Philippine government.

“During these trying times, we express our solidarity with the Philippines and join in condemning terrorism,” it said.

“The attacks by the Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean violate the freedom of navigation, threaten the welfare of seafarers, and impact the shipment sector, supply chains, and prices of oil,” the same statement added.

MV True Confidence was carrying 20 crewmembers, including 15 Filipinos, when the Houthi rebels launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at approximately 11:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) on March 6 and hit it.

Two of the three fatalities were Filipinos and three more Filipinos were seriously injured.

Eleven of the Filipino survivors, including one of the injured, returned to the Philippines on March 12 afternoon.