THE remains of Filipina caregiver Leah Mosquera, who was killed in an Iranian missile attack in Israel last month, are now at her home in Negros Occidental.
Mosquera’s remains arrived at the Bacolod Silay airport Thursday morning after being repatriated from Israel.
Her body will then be brought to her home in Sitio Kamunsil, Brgy. Guintorilan, San Enrique town.
The plane carrying Mosquera’s remains was met by outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Manila Ilan Fluss and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Mosquera, who had been living and working in Israel since 2008, was killed by an Iranian ballistic missile that struck a residential building in the city of Rehovot last June 15.
The 49-year-old Mosquera died on July 13 at the Shamir Medical Center in Tel Aviv after several weeks in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Mosquera was one of the eight Filipinos injured in an Iranian missile attack on Israel during the two countries’ 12-day war last month, but the seven suffered only minor injuries and were released from the hospital after receiving treatment.
In a statement, the Israeli Embassy said Mosquera was a devoted caregiver who dedicated her life to helping others with compassion and grace.
“The Government of Israel recognizes Leah as a victim of terror, and has taken responsibility for the repatriation of her body, the travel of her sister, May Joy Mosquera, and all expenses related to her wake and burial,” the embassy said.
“This is a gesture of solidarity and respect to all victims of terror in Israel, no matter if they are Israeli or foreign,” it added.
Mosquera was the second caregiver from Negros Occidental to die as a result of attacks in Israel since 2023.
On October 7, 2023, Loreta Alacre of Cadiz City was killed when Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel, triggering a ferocious Israeli counterattack.
There are around 30,000 Filipinos living and working in Israel.
