MANILA – Filipinos in Lebanon are told to avoid areas with military activity and to remain vigilant after separate Israeli airstrikes killed at least three in two weeks.
In an advisory Wednesday, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut said there had been three noted Israeli airstrikes in northeastern Lebanon between Feb. 27 and March 12 as hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah continue over the conflict in Gaza.
“In light of these events, we strongly advise all Filipino nationals in Lebanon to exercise caution and remain vigilant at all times. Please adhere to any advisories or instructions issued by local authorities and stay informed about the situation through credible news sources,” the embassy said.
“Furthermore, it is essential to avoid areas where there is ongoing violence or military activity, and to take necessary precautions to ensure your safety and well-being.”
On Feb. 27, the embassy said an Israeli airstrike targeted Baalbeck, marking the first such incident since 2006.
The attack, which resulted in the death of at least two individuals identified as Hezbollah members, primarily targeted Hezbollah-affiliated sites, including supermarket food storage sheds and a residential house in the Addous area.
On Monday, additional airstrikes occurred in the Baalbeck district, with four missiles deployed, resulting in two separate strikes at different locations.
The precise targets of these attacks remain unclear, the embassy said, but this marks the second instance Baalbeck was struck since the onset of cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.
It added that reports indicated that at least one civilian was killed and several others have been injured.
“The targeted areas include the southern entrance to the city of Baalbeck, a residential house in al-Ansar, and a wood storage warehouse between the villages of Shmustar and Taraya,” it said.
In a separate incident on Tuesday, the embassy said Israeli jets also conducted airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley and specifically targeted the Sfari road, which connects to Baalbeck.
In a text message on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega confirmed that no Filipinos were affected in the series of airstrikes.
At present, there are about 17,500 Filipino nationals in Lebanon but de Vega said the number could be lower “as some have been leaving through the years.”
Lebanon is currently placed under Alert Level 3, which advises Filipinos to voluntarily evacuate the country.
“Despite the offer of free airfare under the voluntary repatriation, there have been few takers,” de Vega said. “Some are holding off leaving, hoping that war does not happen here in Lebanon; others due to personal reasons, they do not want to leave their husbands behind or due to lack of employment opportunities in the Philippines.”
To date, the Philippine government has repatriated 197 Filipinos from Lebanon while nine are on standby, ready to leave.
Israel and Hezbollah had been exchanging cross-border fire as early as October as the latter demanded a ceasefire in Gaza. (PNA)
