Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada pulls diplomats' kids out of Israel as fear of broader war builds

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Aug, 2024 10:29 AM
  • Canada pulls diplomats' kids out of Israel as fear of broader war builds

The Canadian government says it decided to pull its diplomats' children and their guardians out of Israel, amid fears over an expanded Mideast war.

Global Affairs Canada says it has approved the temporary relocation of the children and their guardians to a safe third country.

Embassy staff are expected to remain in Israel.

"The Embassy of Canada to Israel in Tel Aviv, the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon in Beirut, and the Representative Office of Canada to the Palestinian Authority, all remain fully operational and continue to provide essential services to Canadians, including consular services," Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Wednesday evening. 

Diplomats stationed in nearby Ramallah in the West Bank and in Beirut, Lebanon, do not have dependents living with them. 

"Staff at our missions in Lebanon and Ramallah remain in place and are being regularly updated on the ongoing situation and the measures Global Affairs Canada is taking," the department said. 

Tensions in the Middle East have sparked fears about an all-out war after the killing last week of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas's top political leader in Iran.

On Saturday, the government warned Canadians to avoid all travel to Israel due to the "ongoing regional armed conflict and the unpredictable security situation."

The government also advises against travelling to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and Lebanon. 

The current conflict broke out on Oct 7, after Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel that killed an estimated 1,200 people. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says more than 39,100 Palestinians have since been killed in the war.

The Gaza Strip has been ravaged by the conflict, which has also seen a previously unprecedented direct assault on Israel by Iran, as well as Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon, including the capital city of Beirut.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah II earlier this week to express his "deep concern" over the risk of expanded conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned groups. 

"The leaders underscored the urgent need to avoid further escalation, which puts the lives of civilians in the region at risk," the Prime Minister's Office said in a summary of the Tuesday call. 

MORE National ARTICLES

First Nation solar farm in B.C. expected to save 1.1 million litres of diesel a year

First Nation solar farm in B.C. expected to save 1.1 million litres of diesel a year
Nearly $16 million in federal and provincial funding is going toward the solar farm in Anahim Lake, home to the Ulkatcho First Nation, where power is currently diesel generated.

First Nation solar farm in B.C. expected to save 1.1 million litres of diesel a year

Crash at Prince George Walmart

Crash at Prince George Walmart
Mounties in Prince George are investigating an early-morning crash of a vehicle hitting the side of a Walmart.  Police say when officers arrived at about 2:30 this morning to find a young driver, with the person's family already on the scene.

Crash at Prince George Walmart

Fraudsters posing as cops in Richmond

Fraudsters posing as cops in Richmond
Mounties in Richmond are warning the public about fraudsters posing as police officers demanding money.  R-C-M-P say they’ve received seven reports involving criminals posing as Chinese police or government officials who demand money from victims in the last two months.   

Fraudsters posing as cops in Richmond

Western Community Colleges launches new aviation training program at Abbotsford International Airport

Western Community Colleges launches new aviation training program at Abbotsford International Airport
Western Community College’s new aviation training programs such as the cabin crew program are IATA certified, while their commercial and private pilot licenses, and night rating programs are Transport Canada certified. WCC plans to introduce additional IATA certified airline operations training programs in the near future. WCC’s new aviation training programs will be located at the college’s new aviation wing at the Abbotsford International Airport. 

Western Community Colleges launches new aviation training program at Abbotsford International Airport

Shipping container stolen from Abbotsford

Shipping container stolen from Abbotsford
Police in Abbotsford say an elaborate operation would have been needed to steal a large shipping container from a rural property this week. The department says the 12-metre long container disappeared during daylight hours on Monday.

Shipping container stolen from Abbotsford

Joly urges halt to escalating violence as Israel suspected of airstrike on Iran

Joly urges halt to escalating violence as Israel suspected of airstrike on Iran
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is once again urging Israel and Iran to prevent their long-running conflict from spiralling into a broader Middle East crisis. She is calling for de-escalation and has co-signed a lengthy statement that touches on the Israel-Hamas war, the humanitarian plight in Gaza and attacks on ships off the coast of Yemen.  

Joly urges halt to escalating violence as Israel suspected of airstrike on Iran