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

Chief electoral officer expresses confidence in integrity of last two elections

Chief electoral officer expresses confidence in integrity of last two elections
Canada's chief electoral officer, Stéphane Perrault, is telling a federal inquiry he has confidence in the integrity of the last two general elections with respect to his mandate. As head of Elections Canada, Perrault is responsible for ensuring Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate.  

Chief electoral officer expresses confidence in integrity of last two elections

ICBC tells drivers to exercise caution this Easter long weekend

ICBC tells drivers to exercise caution this Easter long weekend
ICBC says drivers should use extra caution on the roads this upcoming long weekend. The insurance corporation says weather can be unpredictable around Easter, and overlap with the holiday weekend and spring break means roads will be likely packed with road trippers and families on vacation.  

ICBC tells drivers to exercise caution this Easter long weekend

Crypto scams rampant in BC

Crypto scams rampant in BC
The B-C Securities Commission says it's teaming up with the R-C-M-P, Vancouver police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the U-S Secret Service to sound the alarm about escalating scams targeting unsuspecting people and their money. 

Crypto scams rampant in BC

Canada Post releases new stamp celebrating Muslim festival

Canada Post releases new stamp celebrating Muslim festival
The Crown corporation says Canadians can use the stamps to send greetings ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a four-day Islamic festival in April that follows Ramadan, a holy month many Muslims spend fasting from sunrise to sunset and volunteering for charities.

Canada Post releases new stamp celebrating Muslim festival

Lookout for feral rabbits: VPB

Lookout for feral rabbits: VPB
The Vancouver Parks Board says people visiting Jericho Beach as Easter approaches should avoid touching feral rabbits that populate the beach's grassy areas. The board says the Jericho bunnies might be enticing with their fluffy tails, but handling and feeding them is not a good idea. 

Lookout for feral rabbits: VPB

Marine LNG jetty project in Delta, B.C., gets environmental assessment certificate

Marine LNG jetty project in Delta, B.C., gets environmental assessment certificate
British Columbia's Environment Ministry says a marine jetty project in the city of Delta to facilitate liquefied natural gas exports has been issued an environmental assessment certificate. Environment Minister George Heyman and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming say they issued the approval after "carefully considering" the assessment of the project. 

Marine LNG jetty project in Delta, B.C., gets environmental assessment certificate