The Philippines announced on Friday that it is preparing to evacuate 11,000 Filipino citizens from Lebanon if Israeli forces initiate a ground invasion against Hezbollah. This plan follows escalating tensions, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties, while the militant group has retaliated with rocket attacks.
Israel has dismissed calls for a U.S.-backed 21-day ceasefire, with the Israeli military chief instructing troops to be ready for a potential ground assault.
Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega confirmed in a press briefing in Manila, “A ground invasion will lead to mandatory repatriation,” adding that the government plans to evacuate Filipinos via sea. However, further specifics were not provided.
Despite earlier calls from Manila for Filipinos to leave Lebanon, many have remained, according to Filipino diplomats. The majority of the 11,000 Filipino nationals in Lebanon are female migrant domestic workers, with the harsh reality of limited employment options in the Philippines pushing them to remain abroad.
“For some, the risk of dying in war seems better than facing poverty,” De Vega said, noting that no Filipino casualties have been reported amid the Israeli airstrikes.
The Philippines has been repatriating citizens voluntarily from areas affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began following Hamas’ attack on October 7. With the conflict spreading into Lebanon, there are increasing concerns about a broader regional war.
So far, 500 Filipinos have accepted the government’s offer to leave Lebanon, De Vega shared. Additionally, 196 Filipinos from southern Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes are concentrated, have fled the area.
Meanwhile, Filipino officials in Israel have stated that no evacuation plans are currently in place for the 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel.