Manila, June 17 -- The Israeli government is hoping to fly home "within the week" the 17 Filipino officials currently stranded in the Jewish state as its conflict with Iran intensifies on its fifth day.

Irit Savion Waidergorn, deputy head of Israeli international aid agency MASHAV, said the 17 have all signified their intention to return to the Philippines as soon as possible.

"They're safe. They're with our team - their accommodations, their meals, all their needs are being catered. There are safe rooms and public shelters in their hotel, and whenever is needed, they go there, and they're very safe there," she said in a phone interview on Tuesday night.

The 17, Waidergorn said, are composed mostly of mayors who came to Israel as part ...