FILE PHOTO: Israeli army troops are seen on the Israeli-Gaza border during a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip as they press ahead with their war against Hamas militants in retaliation for the group鈥檚 unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 34 Filipinos who were caught in the armed conflict in Gaza arrived in Manila on Saturday.
The 34 Filipinos, who crossed into Egypt from Gaza through the bridge before flying to the Philippines, were mostly spouses and dependents of Palestinian nationals, according to the DFA.
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DFA secretary Enrique Manalo acknowledged Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for facilitating the return of the Filipinos.
鈥淭his would not have been possible without the determination and courage of our DFA personnel, especially those in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Amman,鈥� Manalo said.
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鈥淲e are also very grateful to Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for extending assistance in the departure of our nationals鈥�, he added.
The DFA said it is arranging the exit of more Filipinos from Gaza as another batch of Filipinos is currently undergoing processes at the Rafah border crossing.
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