BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – City Hall here is preparing measures for residents in Israel who might need help as armed conflict continues between that country and the rebel group, Hamas.
Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda, who heads the sectoral concerns office, told DNX they will be coordinating with the foreign affairs department and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to set up measures for residents here working in the Middle East country.
National government figures estimate the number of Filipinos in Israel to be between 30,000 and 50,000, part of the estimated 300,000 foreign workers in the Holy Land.
The disputed territory in Gaza Strip is being claimed by Palestine that used to be governed by the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah party.
Internal issues, however, led to the emergence of a rival and more radical party, the Hamas or the Islamist Resistance Movement in 1987, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Hamas is being blamed by the Israeli state as responsible for firing missiles on areas inside the country.
