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DFA: No Filipinos hurt in escalating violence between Israel, Palestine

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Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/05/12/20210512-israel-rockets-rtr.jpg"/><figcaption>Streaks of light are seen as Israel&#x27;s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercept rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, May 12, 2021. <em>Amir Cohen, Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said the country&#x27;s embassy in Israel has not received any reports of Filipino casualties in airstrikes between the Israelis and Palestinians, as violence between the two sides escalated. </p><p>In a message to reporters, DFA Office of Strategic Communication and Research Executive Director Ivy Banzon-Abalos said the Philippine Embassy is in touch with the Filipino community there and that “contingency plans are in place.” </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/11/21/israel-unrest-concerns-world-powers">READ:  ‘Deeply concerned’ world powers call for calm after Israel unrest</a></li></ul><p>“The embassy is in touch with Filipino organizations and networks; shelters are there to provide refuge, including for Filipino workers; contingency plans are in place for developments in the situation,” Abalos said. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1683765" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>In a statement, meanwhile, the agency expressed &quot;serious concern&quot; over the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine and called on all parties to engage in dialogue to lower tensions. </p><p>Hamas Islamists from Palestine in Gaza have fired more than 1,000 rockets towards Israel since Monday evening, causing tensions to soar, according to Israeli authorities. </p><p>The Israel side has also launched airstrikes, with the death toll on both sides mounting. </p><p>As of Wednesday morning, the most intense hostilities in 7 years have killed at least 43 people in Gaza, including 13 children, two Palestinians in the West Bank, and five Israelis, triggered by weekend unrest at Jerusalem&#x27;s Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. </p><p>The violence happened as Palestinian families were on the throes of being driven out of their homes in East Jerusalem as Israeli settlers sought court reprieve. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/12/21/over-1000-rockets-fired-from-gaza-towards-israel-since-monday-army">Over 1,000 rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel since Monday: army</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/12/21/israel-declares-state-of-emergency-in-lod">READ: Israel declares state of emergency in Lod</a></li></ul><p>&quot;The Philippines urges all parties to exercise restraint and seek dialogue to de-escalate tensions and avoid further actions that could affect future Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations,&quot; the DFA said. </p><p>President Rodrigo Duterte early last year said the Philippines would continue to have friendly and cooperative relations with Palestine, which recently re-established its embassy in the country. </p><p>The development, Duterte said, signaled the &quot;new chapter in Philippines-Palestine relations,&quot; according to state media. </p><p>In <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/11/30/12/philippines-supports-palestinian-state">2012</a>, the Philippines supported an independent Palestinian state, hoping that &quot;one day an independent Palestine may live side by side in peace with its neighbors.&quot;</p><p>In 1947, the Philippines, under the administration of President Manuel Roxas, cast the tie-breaker vote at the UN to separate Israel from Palestine. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/03/18/ph-israel-connection-a-lookback-on-decades-of-friendship-ties">PH-Israel connection: A lookback on decades of friendship, ties</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/04/02/21/history-101-why-israel-loves-the-philippines">History 101: Why Israel loves the Philippines</a></li></ul><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>In a statement the DFA expressed "serious concern" over the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine and called on all parties to engage in dialogue to lower tensions. <br /> </p>

In a statement the DFA expressed "serious concern" over the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine and called on all parties to engage in dialogue to lower tensions.

DFA: No Filipinos hurt in escalating violence between Israel, Palestine

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DFA: No Filipinos hurt in escalating violence between Israel, Palestine

Willard Cheng,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 12, 2021 08:37 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Foreign Affairs

DFA

Israel

Palestine

Gaza strip

Jerusalem

Hamas Islamist

Israel-Palestine conflict

OFWs Israel

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