Lucille-Jean (inset, right), her husband and parents-in-law were found under the rubble in Haifa, Israel. IDF/SUPPLIED

A Filipina has been killed in a missile strike in Haifa, marking the second Filipino fatality amid escalating conflict in the region, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines. The victim, identified by Israeli media as 29-year-old Lucille-Jean, died on Sunday (April 5) alongside her Israeli husband and elderly parents-in-law after their residential building was struck. Israeli reports identified her husband as Dmitry Gershevich. His parents, Vladimir and Lena Gershevich, were also killed in the attack. Vladimir had recently returned home from hospital, while Lena taught music. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of the four family members from the rubble after an hours-long operation following the missile strike. Reports said the family had attempted to take shelter but remained near a staircase when one of the elderly members had difficulty reaching a bomb shelter in time. The missile directly hit the building after interception efforts failed. “The family requests privacy at this difficult time to grieve in peace,” the DFA said. “We join the Filipino community in praying for her eternal rest and for strength for her family during this time of profound loss.” The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv is assisting the victim’s relatives and arranging the earliest possible repatriation of her remains despite ongoing travel disruptions in the region. According to reports, Lucille-Jean worked with children and was known for her dedication to teaching music and helping others develop their talents. She lived with her husband and his parents inside the residential building that was hit. The family was described in reports as close-knit. Her death marks the second Filipino fatality since hostilities escalated following military actions involving the United States and Israel, which prompted retaliatory strikes from Iran. Earlier, caregiver Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera died while assisting her elderly ward during a separate attack. CAM/Expat Media
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