Israel to shoulder hospitalization of injured Filipinos – envoy

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss holds a press conference in celebration of ‘Rosh Hashanah’ during the ‘Pandesal Forum’ held at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City on Wednesday (Sept. 20, 2023). (PNA Photo by Joey Razon)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Israeli government is willing to shoulder all the hospitalization fees of Filipinos injured in the Iranian air raids, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Tuesday.

Based on the latest data from the Philippine Embassy in Israel, no Filipino has been killed in the attacks but seven were injured, including one in critical condition.

Fluss said all of them will get financial assistance and full medical support like any other Israelis.

“All of them are in Israel and will get the support and compensation or whatever mechanisms we have like any other Israeli. So, there is no doubt that the Israeli government is committed to whoever is in Israel, to support them, the same as we did before,” he said in an interview.

Israel has recorded 24 deaths in Iran’s latest waves of strikes while dozens more were injured.

In an update on Tuesday night, the Philippine Embassy in Israel said the critically injured Filipino caregiver needs to undergo a major surgery and is currently receiving topnotch medical care at the ICU of Shamir Medical Center, one of Israel’s most advanced hospitals.

Another injured Filipino is still confined at Kaplan Medical Center with moderate-to-serious injuries while the five others have been discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

Forty nine Filipinos, meanwhile, lost their homes due to missile impact and are currently being housed in temporary accommodations.

This number includes an infant who was just born on June 10.

At least 150 have initially requested for repatriation but so far only 26 have confirmed and are now being processed, the Embassy said.

Some 63 nationals have also received various forms of assistance, from provision of temporary shelter to relief packages containing food, clothes, and hygiene products.

“Since the outbreak of hostilities, all Embassy personnel have been staying at the Embassy 24/7 to respond to the needs of our affected kababayan,” the Embassy said.