Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 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

Trust in governments rebounds after pandemic

Trust in governments rebounds after pandemic
NDP supporters were the most likely to say parties are divisive, at 65 per cent, compared with 62 per cent of Conservative supporters. Liberals supporters were the least concerned about it, with 52 per cent listing political parties as divisive.

Trust in governments rebounds after pandemic

New Buy American talk 'concerning' to B.C. lumber

New Buy American talk 'concerning' to B.C. lumber
The B.C. Lumber Trade Council says it's "concerning" that Biden says he wants to restrict the use of foreign lumber in federally funded infrastructure projects. Biden announced the expanded rules during Tuesday's state of the union speech on Capitol Hill.

New Buy American talk 'concerning' to B.C. lumber

Two killed in North Vancouver house fire

Two killed in North Vancouver house fire
Several people escaped but police say a man and woman were found dead inside when firefighters were able to enter the house after knocking down the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.    

Two killed in North Vancouver house fire

Study finds promise in single-shot COVID treatment

Study finds promise in single-shot COVID treatment
Edward Mills, one of the authors, said peginterferon lambda stands out as a potential "one-and-done" treatment for older patients, noting current options includemulti-dose infusions of monoclonal antibodies or the medication Paxlovid, which requires three pills repeated twice a day, for five days.

Study finds promise in single-shot COVID treatment

Burnaby morning crash claims life of motorcyclist

Burnaby morning crash claims life of motorcyclist
The motorcycle was travelling southbound on Douglas Road at the time of the crash, which is believed to have occurred at approximately 6:10 a.m. The hatchback was travelling eastbound on Laurel Street. The driver of the hatchback remained on scene. A 33-year-old motorcyclist was pronounced dead on scene.

Burnaby morning crash claims life of motorcyclist

Turkey quake tragedy offers B.C. lessons: experts

Turkey quake tragedy offers B.C. lessons: experts
Last month, the B.C. and federal government jointly announced the province is ramping up an early earthquake detection system in "high seismic risk areas." The national earthquake early warning system already has several hundred sensors overseen by Natural Resources Canada. 

Turkey quake tragedy offers B.C. lessons: experts