DFA alerts Filipinos in Israel amid hostilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) alerted yesterday the more than 29,400 Filipinos in Israel to take the necessary precautions following the escalation of hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza. 

The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv advised Filipinos to avoid public places, particularly in Netivot, Sha’ar Hanegev, Ashkelon, Eshkol, Ashdod, Sderot, Beersheba, other areas near Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights. 

The embassy cited reports from Israeli sources that more than 400 projectiles were fired into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to retaliate with air strikes on Monday.

But Hamas militants, who have controlled Gaza since 2006, said Tuesday it would stop firing rockets into Israel as part of a ceasefire deal, bringing a halt to 24 hours of intense fighting.