Forty Filipinos were able to flee from war-torn Gaza City after crossing the Rafah border in Egypt, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

"Ikinagagalak kong ibalita na 40 sa ating mga kababayan ay ligtas at matagumpay na nakatawid ng Rafah crossing sa Egypt. Sila ngayon ay patungo ng Cairo, kung saan sila magmumula para makauwi nang tuluyan sa ating bansa sa susunod na mga araw," Marcos said in a video message shared on his Facebook post.

Marcos then thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt for enabling the Filipinos to exit Gaza safely. He said more Filipinos will be repatriated in the coming days, adding that his office will provide them with financial support once they arrive in the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier confirmed that 46 Filipinos in Gaza were given approval to cross the Rafah border but six decided to stay.

In a press briefing by the DFA, Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said that the 46 are the combined number of the second batch and the first batch scheduled to leave Gaza last Sunday but was delayed due to attacks from Hamas.

De Vega said that included in the repatriated OFWs were two pregnant women and three infants. A Palestinian wife was also allowed to cross the border. While in Cairo, they will be given assistance and be repatriated on Friday, Nov. 10.

The DFA official said there are still over a hundred Filipinos and their spouses in Gaza.