In the upcoming days, the exodus of foreign nationals from the battle-embroiled Gaza Strip to Egypt is projected to persist, according to statements from the federal government. These warnings come despite cautions dispensed to Canadians who decide to undertake the perilous voyage; their safety cannot be promised.
Global Affairs Canada had reported on Wednesday that a single Canadian citizen managed to depart the Palestinian territory via the Rafah border crossing with third-party assistance, although no additional details were divulged.
A review of the Gaza-based General Authority for Border Crossings verified that citizens from diverse nations such as Australia, Jordan, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, and Japan were allowed passage out on Wednesday. Though Canada, with one of the largest contingents of nationals in Gaza, fails to feature on this list.
“We anticipate further border-crossings daily in the ensuing days,” states a communique from the department, citing that countries mentioned in the initial list had smaller number of citizens in the conflict-ridden territory.
Peremptorily, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for the evacuation of all Canadians. Simultaneously, he stressed the ongoing importance of condemning Hamas’s appalling acts of terrorism while recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself. He insisted that justice should never necessitate the sustained suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians and called for the provision of humanitarian aid and evacuation protocols to apply to Canadians and their families.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly disclosed that she expects another window of opportunity for evacuation on Thursday, although she refrained from specifying if it would encompass Canadians. Joly informed that she is closely collaborating with her counterparts from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar regarding this crisis, amidst the continually evolving scenario.
A daughter of a Canadian national stranded in Gaza, however, reports having received an email from the Canadian government stating that their safety and security cannot be guaranteed if they attempt to cross into Egypt. Yet, plans are in place to provide essential support, documentation, and onward travel assistance to Canadian nationals once they cross into Rafah.
The Canadian government expressed its aim to remain in regular contact with Canadian nationals, permanent residents and family members in Gaza, Israeli, and the West Bank, despite the challenge of dreadful internet connectivity issues in Gaza. Therefore, it is anticipated that the government’s actions will be monitored closely for their commitment to the safety of national citizens amid an unprecedented crisis.
The disastrous war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in horrendous humanitarian conditions in Gaza. This strip that is home to 2.3 million people has undergone severe strain since the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Since 2007, Hamas– which Canada labels a terrorist organization– has possessed control over Gaza. Consequently, more than half of the population has been displaced, whilst resources such as food, water, medicine, and fuel are precariously scant. The death toll in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has soared to 8,805, according to the Health Ministry of Hamas in Gaza. This includes 130 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, a count that doesn’t include over 1,400 Israeli fatalities, many of them civilians slain during the inaugural Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
