Israel promised to allow Pinoys to leave Gaza – President Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Israel authorities have agreed to allow Filipinos in Gaza to leave the besieged territory through the Rafah border crossing to Egypt, President Marcos said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at Malacañang, Marcos said Filipinos would be able to leave Gaza by Friday or Saturday, but admitted that certain “complications” could affect their repatriation.

Marcos, citing information from Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, said Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen made the commitment to Philippine Ambassador Junie Laylo during a meeting on Thursday.

“They have a commitment to allow the Filipinos to (cross to Egypt) by today or tomorrow. That is what they promised us. Saturday at the latest,” the President said.

The Rafah crossing is controlled by Egypt. It is the only border exit in Gaza not controlled by Israel. It was recognized in the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty.

Personnel from the Philippine embassy in Cairo are waiting for Filipino repatriates from Gaza at the Rafah crossing, Marcos said.

“They have been waiting for a long time at the crossing, the Rafah crossing. And they are ready when the time comes for the Filipinos to cross and be taken and sent home,” the President said.

Marcos said complicating the situation was the reluctance of Filipinos with Palestinian spouses to leave the war-ton enclave, now surrounded by Israel troops preparing for ground attack.

“Of course, they don’t want to leave their (Palestinian) husbands, they don’t want to leave their children. So, these are the problems that we are facing,” Marcos said.

He said the Philippines has also offered assistance to Thais, Vietnamese and other nationals from Southeast Asian countries stranded at the crossing and wanting to get out of Gaza.

“And it looks like we are the ones there first because the presence of Filipinos in the area is much higher than the others. So that is the latest news that I received today, early this (Friday) morning from our Secretary of the DFA,” Marcos said, referring to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

“And I hope this will happen so we can repatriate all those who want to leave and bring them back home to safety,” the President said partly in