Pinay caregiver confirmed dead in Tel Aviv strike
A Filipina has been confirmed dead in an airstrike in Israel.
In a statement on Sunday, the Philippine Embassy to Israel confirmed the demise of Mary Ann V. de Vera, 32, on Feb. 28, Saturday, after a missile attack hit Tel Aviv.
The embassy described de Vera as a caregiver in Israel since 2019 and a native of Pangasinan. They added that her husband, also a worker in Israel, identified her remains through biometric records at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.
The Israeli embassy in the Philippines confirmed the circumstances behind the caregiver's death, saying that she "was injured while selflessly assisting her patient to safety during Operation Roaring Lion."
"A stark reminder that the Iranian regime continues to sow terror indiscriminately, targeting civilians without distinction," they said.
Meanwhile, President Bongbong Marcos has likewise expressed grief through a video message and assured the government's full assistance to the bereaved family: "Lahat po ng tulong na kakailanganin ng kanilang pamilya ay ihahatid ng ating pamahalaan."
"Patuloy po ang ating pag-monitor sa kalagayan ng ating kababayan na nasa gitna nitong gyera dahil patuloy pa rin sa Middle East. Asahan po ninyo na kapag mayroong tayong mai-rereport ay irereport ko po sa inyo kaagad,” he added.
On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iranian targets.
In response, Iran targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and other American bases in the Gulf, following missile and drone attacks on Israel.
Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said a woman was killed and at least 21 were injured in the Tel Aviv area.
Iranian retaliatory attacks targeted Gulf states and the wider Middle East, damaging Dubai's international airport and its landmark Burj Al Arab hotel, among others.
The United Arab Emirates confirmed two people in Abu Dhabi, including a Pakistani civilian.
US and Israel's target, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was confirmed killed in the strikes according to a senior Israeli official on Feb. 28. Khamenei reportedly turned his country into a powerful anti-US force and extended its military influence across the Middle East
