Egypt’s government has pledged to prioritize the entry of Filipinos into the country once the Rafah crossing for those fleeing bombed-out Gaza is opened, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said on Saturday.
De Vega cited a commitment made by Egyptian Ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed Shehabeldin, who said Filipinos would be at the top of the list once passage is allowed across the border.
De Vega added that the ambassador had told his government that Filipinos should be given priority and not to give them any problems when crossing the border.
Some 135 Filipinos are currently in Gaza, with about 80 awaiting the opening of the Rafah crossing near the Sinai Peninsula.
“Potentially, we have 135 Filipino nationals (in Gaza). But we don’t expect those who will actually cross to reach 100 because those who were seen at the crossing at the beginning were only 78. Only up to 80 are interested,” De Vega said.
He explained that while they could not convince all the Filipinos in Gaza to cross into Egypt, they had high hopes all would eventually do so to ensure their safety.
Gaza aid
Israel, which has been bombing Gaza in retaliation for the killing of 1,400 of its nationals by Hamas last 7 October, is expected to launch a ground assault on the enclave to flush out the extremist group.
“We are hoping they would cross when ready because we cannot guarantee their safety and condition once the ground assault by Israel starts and Gaza (militants) attack,” De Vega said.
Egypt has turned down calls to accommodate Gaza Palestinians within its borders.
Earlier, United States President Joe Biden announced that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had agreed to open the Rafah border crossing, allowing roughly 20 trucks with humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza has sparked a global appeal for peace and the cessation of hostilities. Four Filipinos were killed during the attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October.
The Gaza Strip is predominantly administered by Hamas, an organization deemed a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.