(UPDATE) The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli Embassy in Manila have confirmed the tragic death of Cydrick Garin, a Filipino reservist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), during a massive explosion in Gaza on January 22. This event has sparked international response and raised concerns about humanitarian issues in the region.
According to a Facebook post by the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Garin was born to Filipino parents, with his father hailing from General Santos City and his mother from Isabela province. While his mother resides in Tel Aviv, his father is preparing to travel to Israel. The embassy and the Filipino community in Israel express their condolences to the family of Sgt. Garin and join in prayers for strength, peace, and comfort for all those he left behind.
The Israeli Embassy in the Philippines also released a statement, mentioning that they are facilitating the travel of Sgt. Garin’s father to Israel. The Israeli Embassy expresses profound grief and solidarity with Sgt. Garin’s family and the Filipino community, emphasizing their commitment to supporting his loved ones during this challenging time.
Garin, a member of the 8208th battalion of the 261st brigade, was recognized by the Southern Command in 2021 for his outstanding role as a soldier in the Givati Brigade, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. Having spent most of his life in Israel, he studied at the Bialik Ragozin school in south Tel Aviv.
The attack in Gaza resulted in the deaths of 24 Israeli troops, with 21 of them being reservists who were surprised by a squad of terrorists using rocket-propelled grenade fire, according to military spokesman Daniel Hagari. The loss of these soldiers has weighed heavily on the nation, prompting questions about the purpose and goals of the operation in Gaza.
Israela Oron, a professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, highlighted that the increasing number of soldier deaths, now at 221, would lead the public to demand clear answers regarding the objectives of the operation in Gaza. This tragic event has also prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch an investigation into the incident.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Israel has continued its heavy assault on the “encircled” Gazan city of Khan Yunis. This has resulted in an outpouring of grief over the army’s deadliest single day since the ground operations began. The United Nations humanitarian agency, OCHA, reported that Israeli forces issued fresh evacuation orders for a section of Khan Yunis housing approximately half a million residents and displaced people. These orders come at a time when the World Food Program has warned of “catastrophic food insecurity” in Gaza.
Furthermore, the rejection of a two-state solution by Israel has drawn criticism from the United Nations Secretary-General, who sees it as the only path to a durable peace. This rejection has caused concern among international allies, particularly the United States.
The death of Cydrick Garin, along with the mounting casualties and humanitarian concerns, highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza. The international community must come together to address the underlying issues and work towards a lasting solution that ensures the safety and well-being of all those affected by the conflict.
Source: The Manila Times
