The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said at least 4 Filipinos in Israel were injured and brought to hospitals after Iran launched a retaliatory air strike over the weekend,

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said the injured Filipinos were from Rehovot, a city some 20 kilometers south of Tel-Aviv, said noting that there were 12 other Filipinos who were at a park when Iranian missiles hit the area.

“We were not sure if they were in the park or if lumabas sila ng bahay sa takot,” De Vega said.

“These incoming projectiles… are blocked by the iron dome… But now, dahil may nakalusot na mga missle, they are seeing missiles hit the ground so they are traumatized,” he said.

A Filipina also lost her home and is temporarily sheltered in a hotel after missiles hit Ramat Gan, an area west of Tel-Aviv, according to information from the Philippine Embassy in Israel.

“Nakaligtas siya sa kapahamakan dahil siya ay nasa loob ng isang bomb shelter o mamad nang bumagsak ang naturang missile,” the Embassy said in a social media post.

“Dahil nagdulot ng malaking pinsala ang missile sa bahay ng ating kababayan, inilikas siya at pansamantalang mamalagi sa isang hotel sa Tel Aviv,” it read.

“Magpapaabot pa ng karagdagang tulong at psychosocial support ang Embahada sa kaniya sa mga susunod na araw.”

The Philippine Embassy in Israel is reviewing if a voluntary or a mandatory repatriation for Filipinos should be imposed in the coming days, De Vega said, noting that there are some 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.

Flights to and from Israel have been suspended after the Israeli government announced that it would close its airspace as Iran is expected to fire more missiles in retaliation for Israel’s attack on its nuclear facilities and missile factories last week.

The Philippines is “exploring” the possibility of evacuating Filipinos from Israel via the Allenby Bridge to Jordan should the situation between Israeli and Iranian forces escalate, De Vega said.

“The crossing to Jordan is open for a limited time only,” said Asec. Robert Ferrer.

“The bridge to Jordan is open on Sundays from 8 am to 2pm, but that will only be relevant if the alert level in Israel is raised to level 3 or 4,” he said.

Alert level 3 pertains to a voluntary repatriation, while alert level 4 means a mandatory repatriation.

Meanwhile, while none of the 1,100 Filipinos in Iran have been reported as injured or are requesting for assistance, the DFA said that it is already preparing a contingency plan, including a possible “evacuation through Turkmenistan.”

Some 41,000 Filipinos in Jordan have also been advised to stay alert as their area is situated right between Israel and Iran.

Tensions rose anew in the Middle East last week after Israel launched several missiles targeting several Iranian military assets and personnel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier called Israel’s attack as “preemptive,” claiming that it received information that Iran has been developing nuclear weapons to attack his nation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameini has vowed to avenge his slain generals and countrymen, saying that “life will definitely become bitter” for Israel.