Filipina saves Israeli patient's life by giving savings to Hamas militant

A Filipina caregiver's heroic act amidst the brutal ongoing war between Israel and Palestine has come under the limelight as an act of humanity.

According to media reports, a former Dubai expat, Carmilla Figueras Jesalva saved her 94-year-old patient's life as Hamas militants raided their home in Israel on October 7.

Carmilla's life flashed before her eyes when militants entered their community. Residents of the area woke up to the sound of bombings and attacks, as alarms were sounded to alert them. The 31-year-old hid Nitza Hefetz in a safe room, who she had taken care of for five years, since her arrival in Israel.

The duo hid since early morning, but as afternoon approached, her worst fears came to life as the sound of gunshots and militants conversing grew louder.

Next thing she knew, a man opened the door which Carmilla was holding shut as it did not have a lock. A mother to a six-year-old and a caretaker to Nitza, Jesalva's first instinct was to offer the man money in exchange for their lives.

1,500 shekels translating to around Dh1,394 were all she had saved up for a flight back home to visit her son. To her surprise, the militant agreed to spare their lives and took the money and left.

Carmilla later shared the ordeal on her Facebook, along with pictures of the scene and their belongings that had been rummaged through.

After he left, Carmilla would not leave Nitza's side, as she hugged her for hours, according to media reports. It was only around late afternoon by 3.30 pm that Israeli soldiers entered their home and rescued them.

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