Close X
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

No Canadians on Rafah crossing list as Israel raids Gaza hospital

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Nov, 2023 10:47 AM
  • No Canadians on Rafah crossing list as Israel raids Gaza hospital

No more Canadians have been approved to leave the Gaza Strip on Wednesday via the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, as hundreds of people connected to Canada continue to wait for help to leave.

A total of 356 Canadians, permanent residents and family members have been able to leave the besieged Palestinian territory so far.

No one connected to Canada had been cleared to leave on Tuesday, and the last group of 10 people made it across on Monday. 

Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to media late Tuesday afternoon that the Canadian government is in touch with 390 people who are still in Gaza.

People who cross over are allowed to stay in Egypt for a maximum of three days, and Canadian officials are waiting on the Egyptian side of the border to help with travel, accommodation, food and basic necessities. 

Global Affairs said the Canadian government is helping with onward travel at travellers' own expense, and it is connecting people with organizations who may be able to provide financial help. 

"Canada does not determine when or how many persons can cross each day. As the situation is quite fluid and unpredictable, Canadians should be prepared for significant delays and unexpected closures at the Rafah border," the department said. 

"Canada continues to engage all relevant parties to ensure that Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members presently in Gaza can exit safely and promptly. We continue to communicate directly with Canadians, asking them to have their travel documents at hand and be ready to travel on short notice."

Israel declared war against Hamas after its militants killed 1,200 people on Oct. 7, including hundreds of civilians, and took about 240 people hostage.

Health officials in the Hamas-controlled territory say weeks of retaliatory airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip have now killed more than 11,200 people.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged on Tuesday that Israel must use "maximum restraint" to protect civilian life in the brutal war it is waging on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"I have been clear that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules," Trudeau said at an event in Vancouver.

He said the violence urgently needs to stop, "so that Palestinians can get access to life-saving medical services, food, fuel and water, so that all hostages can be released, so that all Canadians and other nationals can leave Gaza."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked Trudeau on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying "while Israel is doing everything to keep civilians out of harm's way, Hamas is doing everything to keep them in harm's way."

Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals as cover for its fighters, alleging that Hamas has set up its main command centre in and beneath Shifa hospital, without providing visual evidence. Both Hamas and Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations.

Israel has refused to allow fuel shipments into Gaza since Hamas's cross-border attack on Oct. 7. Israel says Hamas will divert any fuel shipments for military use.

Palestinians trapped in Gaza are struggling to survive without electricity or running water and are rationing food as Israel's siege of the territory extends into its second month.

The Canadian government has faced increased pressure domestically from the National Council of Canadian Muslims, refugee settlement agencies, opposition members and municipal politicians to call for a ceasefire, in a bid to safely evacuate civilians and deliver humanitarian aid.

Trudeau has instead called for "a sustained humanitarian pause" in the bombardments.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Port strike now a week long

BC Port strike now a week long
The association says it has learned of the layoffs as well as cargo diversions as the labour dispute drags on, calling on the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to enter a voluntary arbitration process to end the strike.  

BC Port strike now a week long

Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data

Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data
Justice Jasvinder Basran's ruling says the privacy commissioner must reconsider its findings after notifying Airbnb hosts about the potential release of the information.

Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe
The service had tapped a special prosecutor in May to give legal advice on the investigation of Gurveen Dhaliwal, who served as a trustee in New Westminster before being named as an adviser to Health Minister Adrian Dix on May 1. The investigation stemmed from Dhaliwal's presence as a scrutineer during the same election last November in which she was running for a second term.

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10

Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10
Just before the rains kickstart again in September take advantage of the sunshine and go for a jog or 5K & 10K run and lace up. The road race is taking place on September 10th. The virtual race is gonna take place from Sept 8-Sept 10th, 2023. 

Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10

Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved

Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved
The murdered woman's mother-in-law has told the British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster that her son and the victim had been planning to build a life together in Canada, and her death devastated everyone who knew the young woman.

Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved

New process for multiple offers on a home

New process for multiple offers on a home
In a market that has been characterized by limited properties for sale and multiple bids for those listings, realtors say the new form will "bring comfort" to prospective buyers that their offer was fairly presented.

New process for multiple offers on a home