National

Canada committing $10M in humanitarian aid for Israel, Gaza as Canadian flights leave

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Oct, 2023 10:48 AM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is giving an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance for urgent needs in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

He also says the first airlift of 130 Canadians that left Tel Aviv earlier today has landed in Athens.

The safety of Canadians abroad is our top priority, and we’re helping our citizens and permanent residents come back to Canada. The first @CanadianForces evacuation plane has left Tel Aviv and landed safely in Athens, and the second plane has already arrived in Tel Aviv.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 12, 2023

The federal government said Wednesday that flights could begin leaving as early as today, with up to 150 passengers on board.

Officials say around 700 Canadians in Israel have asked for help to leave the country since violence broke out on Saturday.

We’re working tirelessly to assist Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

I can confirm that the first @CanadianForces evacuation flight has departed from Tel Aviv with approximately 130 passengers on board.

We will continue to be there for Canadians who need help.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) October 12, 2023

Canada does not usually provide military air transportation when commercial flights are still operating, but the government says people have been asking for help because it's difficult to get tickets.

A second Royal Canadian Air Force flight, which Trudeau says has landed in Tel Aviv, is listed on the departures board for this evening local time, and a third for Friday afternoon.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Two pedestrians killed in Quebec crash: police

Sgt. Hélène St-Pierre said the 38-year-old driver, a local resident, turned himself in to police and was arrested under suspicion of committing a fatal hit and run. One man who died was in his 60s, and the other was in his 70s.

Two pedestrians killed in Quebec crash: police

B.C. cautious but encouraged by bail reform moves

British Columbia's attorney general says the province is treading carefully to ensure the overincarceration of Indigenous people and other racialized groups is not made worse by proposed federal changes to the bail system.

B.C. cautious but encouraged by bail reform moves

Canada on sidelines as allies move ahead on AUKUS

That includes formalizing American and British plans to help Australia develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in response to growing concerns about China's actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Canada on sidelines as allies move ahead on AUKUS

Eight skunks found dead in B.C. had avian flu

British Columbia's Ministry of Agriculture says the skunks were infected with the same H5N1 strain that has caused the deaths of millions of domestic poultry since the outbreak began in April last year. The skunks were found in residential areas in both cities and were taken to B.C.'s Animal Health Centre over concerns they may have been deliberately poisoned.

Eight skunks found dead in B.C. had avian flu

Water taxi crash in B.C. prompts report's caution

A report from the board says four of the five people aboard the Rocky Pass were injured when the boat came to an abrupt stop on the rocks on Jan. 25, 2022. The operator, who had 20 years of experience captaining the taxi, was using GPS in very foggy conditions when the navigation device froze.

Water taxi crash in B.C. prompts report's caution

House in Maple Ridge hit by gunfire

According to Mounties, one residence in the area was hit by gunfire. The residence was occupied at the time of the incident but no gunshot injuries occurred. The victims are cooperating with the police investigation.