Close X
Saturday, November 16, 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

Police in Chilliwack cancel shelter-in-place alert for residents near Skowkale

Police in Chilliwack cancel shelter-in-place alert for residents near Skowkale
Police in Chilliwack say a 29 year old man is in police custody following a high risk incident in which shots were allegedly fired at police. The call to shelter in place has been cancelled and an "active, ongoing, high-risk police incident" that began Monday night has been resolved.

Police in Chilliwack cancel shelter-in-place alert for residents near Skowkale

Missing man Irshaad Ikbal found dead in Vancouver

Missing man Irshaad Ikbal found dead in Vancouver
Police say the remains of Irshaad Ikbal were found in False Creek. A passerby called police after seeing the man in the water. Ikbal had been missing since April 29th.

Missing man Irshaad Ikbal found dead in Vancouver

Health Minister Adrian Dix attends Surrey Board of Trade Event, recognizes PICS Guru Nanak Diversity Village

Health Minister Adrian Dix attends Surrey Board of Trade Event, recognizes PICS Guru Nanak Diversity Village
He made special emphasis on the great work that Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society does in the community and mentioning of the upcoming PICS Long Term Care Facility in Cloverdale - Guru Nanak Diversity Village, which will meet the needs of the community. 

Health Minister Adrian Dix attends Surrey Board of Trade Event, recognizes PICS Guru Nanak Diversity Village

Spike in car thefts in Prince George

Spike in car thefts in Prince George
Corporal Jennifer Cooper says in the first two weeks of May, the force has seen more than a 100 per cent jump in reported thefts. She says many of the reported thefts are of early 2000s model vehicles.

Spike in car thefts in Prince George

Road closures in effect in the area of 128th street in Surrey

Road closures in effect in the area of 128th street in Surrey
Road closures between 102 Avenue and 104 Avenue on 128 Street are in place due to a serious motor vehicle collision. The road closure is in effect until further notice. 7  people from the two vehicles were injured and have been transported to local hospital. 

Road closures in effect in the area of 128th street in Surrey

Cyclist dies in early morning crash:Langley RCMP

Cyclist dies in early morning crash:Langley RCMP
Langley R-C-M-P say the driver of the Mercedes allegedly struck the cyclist and left the scene before officers arrived, but was quickly located. Police say the factors contributing to the crash have yet to be determined and no charges have yet been laid.  

Cyclist dies in early morning crash:Langley RCMP