Philippine authorities on Feb. 20 confirmed the safety of a religious missionary, the last Filipino in the Gaza Strip who decided to stay despite the ongoing massive Israeli strikes.
The name of the 63-year-old nun from the Missionaries of Charity Sisters of Saint Teresa was withheld in a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
According to Wilfredo Santos, the Philippine Ambassador to Jordan, the missionary sister chose to stay behind while authorities evacuated 14 Filipinos from Gaza last week.
“We received information that the church where the Filipino nun is staying in Gaza City is still standing and holding masses for the parishioners,” PNA quoted Santos.
Santos said that the embassy has “not established contact with her.” However, he expressed that “indications are that the Filipino nun is safe but has decided to remain in Gaza to complete her mission.” he added.
The ambassador had earlier revealed that the last contact with the nun occurred in early December of last year, during a period when Israeli forces intensified their attacks on Gaza. PNA also reported that the church was hit by sniper fire.
The Philippine government has evacuated 136 Filipinos from Gaza since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began last year, following the opening of the border crossing in Rafah in November.
The final group of Filipino repatriates, along with their two Palestinian relatives, is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Wednesday.
