Alert Level 3 declared in Gaza — DFA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has raised the alert level to 3 in Gaza as heavy Israeli bombardments continue to hit the tiny but densely-populated Palestinian enclave, a Department of Foreign Affairs official said.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega confirmed this Thursday, News5 reported.

The development indicates voluntary repatriation of Filipinos.

Some 150 Filipinos, mostly women married to Palestinians, are residing in Gaza. Officials said Wednesday that 70 Filipinos in the Palestinian enclave expressed their intent to return to the Philippines.

Israel, meanwhile, remains under Alert Level 2, which restricts non-essential movement for Filipinos and suspends the deployment of overseas Filipino workers.

There are around 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, with the majority living or working in areas located outside the southern region near the Gaza Strip.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Wednesday that it is prepared to evacuate Filipinos in the event that the conflict escalates further between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.The government confirmed that at least two Filipinos have been killed in the conflict. — with reports from News5/Camille Samonte