The inaugural duo of evacuation flights, commissioned by the Canadian Armed Forces, departed from Israel this past Thursday. This significant move resulted in the extraction of an estimated 281 Canadian nationals and their kin from the strife-torn nation. Additional flights have been scheduled in the forthcoming days to continue the rescue mission.
The initial flight had a passenger count of 128 and began its journey in Tel Aviv Thursday afternoon, subsequently touching down in Athens without a hitch. According to high-ranking governmental figures, the succeeding flight, with its cargo of 153 passengers, is anticipated to land later the same day.
“The preservation of the safety and security of Canadians, both domestically and internationally, remains our utmost priority,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Thursday. The premier added that given the precarious and unstable situation at hand, the Canadian government is lending active assistance to its citizens and permanent inhabitants in finding their way back home.
These flights are originating from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, with two military CC-150 Airbus Polaris aircrafts repurposed to aid in this endeavor.
Once the Canadians reach Athens, Greece – a designated safe country – Air Canada is geared to usher these passengers back to their home turf. They will be flown back to Toronto, with tickets procured via a special code. The first of these flights from Athens is predicted to commence on Friday afternoon, local time.
As the Defense Minister Bill Blair announced, the Canadian government is “working tirelessly to assist Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza,” He indicated that the ongoing plan is to provide sustenance to Canadians requiring help.
According to senior government officials, these flights are expected to persist through the weekend and beyond, accommodating at least 150 people on each flight.
Currently, there are approximately 5,700 Canadians registered in Israel. It’s been reported that around half of the estimated 1,600 who have indicated a potential interest in evacuation will most likely board the military aircraft, considering the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Sarah Berry, a Canadian waiting to be evacuated, voiced her concerns about the situation. She expressed her relief over getting out but also disclosed her heartache about “all the innocent families that didn’t get to get out.”
These evacuation flights are accessible to Canadian citizens and their families, including spouses and children. Permanent Canadian residents along with their families and dual-nationals are also eligible. Accommodating these evacuated Canadians and ensuring their safety is the top priority at the moment.
While Canadians won’t be charged for the evacuation flights from Israel to Athens, any further travel and accommodation expenses will be borne by the individuals themselves, as per the government’s directive.
The decision to enlist the aid of the Canadian Armed Forces was motivated by the swell of pleas from stranded Canadians facing the dilemma of commercial airlines cancelling their flights amid the conflict.
In the wake of this desperate scramble to escape the crisis, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre, acknowledged that they commenced brainstorming the potential support measures Canada could offer right after the war began.
As the crisis unfolds, the Canadian government is considering plans for those unable to reach Tel Aviv and board an evacuation flight. With hundreds of Canadians stranded in Gaza and the West Bank, a concrete solution is yet to be found as the lack of a functional humanitarian corridor makes airlifts impossible in these territories.
