4th Filipino killed in Israel-Hamas war

The number of Filipinos who were killed in the war between Israel and Hamas militants is now four.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday, Oct. 19, bared the news upon confirmation from the Israeli government.

“I regret to inform the nation that we have received confirmation from the Israeli government of another Filipino casualty in Israel,” he said in his post on X.

Out of respect for the wishes of the family, Manalo said the agency shall be withholding details on the identity of the victim.

“But we have assured the family of the Government’s full support and assistance,” he added.

In a press conference, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said the fourth Filipino fatality was a female caregiver working in Kibbutz Be’eri, who was among the three Filipinos missing in Israel.

“We cannot confirm is she was first abducted and then killed, but it was because of the Hamas attack,” de Vega said.

That left the number of Filipinos who remain unaccounted for at two.

“Interpol emailed on 18 October to inform the Embassy that her remains were identified using fingerprint records. Interpol did not provide details on the circumstance of her death,” the Philippine Embassy in Israel added.

Three other Filipinos—two female and one male—were earlier confirmed dead by the DFA after Hamas made a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The Israeli government, through its embassy in Manila, has expressed its sympathy with the families of the victims and assured them of support for the repatriation of their remains and of other assistance.