Close X
Saturday, September 21, 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

Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests

Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Protesters accused schools of exposing young students to "gender ideology," and said parents have the right to know whether their children are questioning their gender identity. Counter-demonstrators, meanwhile, accused protesters of importing United States culture wars into the country and trying to deny students important lessons about inclusion and respect for gender-diverse people.  

Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests

RCMP seek witnesses in Richmond crash

RCMP seek witnesses in Richmond crash
Mounties in Richmond are looking for witnesses after a crash last week between a pedestrian and a motorcycle. Police say both people involved suffered significant injuries as a result of the crash last Thursday on Granville Avenue.

RCMP seek witnesses in Richmond crash

India claims students at risk after envoy insists safety, in 'early stages' of spat

India claims students at risk after envoy insists safety, in 'early stages' of spat
India is warning students headed to Canada of security risks just weeks after its top envoy highlighted their safety, as diplomacy and intelligence experts warn a months-long diplomatic row with India is only just beginning. The building spat undergirds calls for more transparency, and a look at how Canada tackles foreign interference.

India claims students at risk after envoy insists safety, in 'early stages' of spat

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis?

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis?
On June 18, Hardeep Singh Nijjar phoned his eldest son for the last time, to say he was on his way home for dinner. Nijjar is now at the heart of a diplomatic crisis between India and Canada, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that intelligence services were investigating "credible" information about "a potential link" between India's government and the killing.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis?

Park ranger assaulted: VPD

Park ranger assaulted: VPD
Police in Vancouver say a woman is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a park ranger who was working in the city's Oppenheimer Park. They say the 39-year-old was arrested yesterday morning.  

Park ranger assaulted: VPD

Bus assault in New Westminster

Bus assault in New Westminster
New Westminster Police are seeking witnesses after a person was assaulted by a group of young people onboard a bus. Police say the victim suffered minor injuries from the incident, which happened around 6:30 p-m Sunday.

Bus assault in New Westminster