Israel-Hamas war: slain Filipino nurse praised for staying with elderly patient in ‘face of evil’ Hamas gunmen attack

The Jewish state pounded the Gaza Strip in response to the bloodshed, levelling buildings and forcing more than 400,000 people to flee their homes in the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Wilma Bandong, Aguirre’s eldest sister, said the 32-year-old described the chaos unfolding at the place where she had sought refuge during her last conversation with her family.

“In her last message, she told us the gunmen had arrived and she was scared,” Bandong said.

Thai, Filipino workers caught in Israel-Hamas war as ‘rocket firings continue’

“What happened to my sister was so painful.”

Aguirre, who had worked in Israel for six years, got married last September. She is survived by her husband, parents and seven siblings, The Philippine Star reported.

“The nation is one in grieving with the families of the Filipinos who were killed in the attacks on Israel,” Marcos Jnr said on Thursday.

He added the government was exploring all evacuation strategies and help would be provided to the stranded citizens once they return home.

“Such courage and honour. May her memory be a blessing, and that, too of the elderly woman she cared for,” wrote a user on X.

The Department of Migrant Workers said it would coordinate with the Philippine embassy in Israel for the repatriation of the remains as National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said Manila was considering designating Hamas as a terrorist group in solidarity with the Middle Eastern nation.

About 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, mostly as carers. Some 137 are in Gaza.