Philippine Caregiver Who Survived Oct. 7 Beeri Massacre Expelled From Israel

A Philippine caregiver who survived the October 7 Hamas massacre at Kibbutz Beeri has been expelled from Israel to the Philippines after her visa expired, despite attempts to extend her stay. Maricel Macipay was caring for the elderly at Beeri when the attack occurred. She hid in a safe room for nearly a day with residents before being rescued by the Elhanan rescue team. Following the massacre, she was evacuated to a hotel at the Dead Sea and began caring for 97-year-old Aviva Sela, replacing Sela's caregiver, Gracie Cabrera, who was murdered on October 7.

Macipay reported suffering severe psychological trauma from her experience. After taking several months off for treatment, she sought to extend her visa to continue working in Israel. Her lawyer stated that the extension request was filed on time but was delayed due to the war. In August, immigration services arrested Macipay while she was walking her dog, on the same day she was scheduled to attend a memorial ceremony in Beeri. She spent nine days in detention, experiencing nightmares and feeling re-traumatized by the arrest.

Her appeal against expulsion was unsuccessful, and she was deported to the Philippines. Relatives in Israel are now urging authorities to allow her return to continue her treatment. The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority stated that no official application for victim status has been filed on her behalf, but such an application, if properly submitted, would be reviewed according to existing criteria.