Joly says feds still working to get Canadians out of Gaza Strip, West Bank amid war

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said the federal government was still working Saturday to get Canadians out of the besieged Gaza Strip as a ground invasion by Israel was expected to intensify a week-long war that has so far claimed the lives of at least 3,200 people, including four Canadians.

Joly spoke to reporters virtually from Amman, Jordan on the margins of her visit to the region to “understand what was the human impact of the worst terrorist attacks that Israel went through in 50 years.”

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She said she is currently concentrating her efforts on finding safe passage for Canadians out of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

There had been plans for Canadians and their loved ones to evacuate Gaza on Saturday through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, but Joly said “there was violence” in the area and the operation was cancelled.

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She said she is still working to help Canadians cross from Gaza into Egypt. Meanwhile, she said Canada is working with the Palestinian Authority and Jordan to allow between 80 and 100 Canadians to evacuate from the West Bank by bus, which she hopes can start as of Tuesday.

She reiterated the Canadian government’s condemnation of Hamas’ attacks on Israel last Saturday, and the government’s position that Israel “has the right to defend itself.” She also called for the protection of civilians and the release of hostages.

“Israeli civilians are as important as Palestinian civilians, as well, at all times international humanitarian law must be respected,” Joly said.

“I would like to say … we're extremely concerned about the situation in Gaza,” she added. “Gaza is one of the worst places on Earth to be right now.”

Joly said diplomatic conversations are still underway to put in place a humanitarian corridor to get food and other supplies to civilians in Gaza.

Joly said the federal government has updated its travel advisory for Lebanon in response to the “volatile” situation there, and it’s advising people specifically in the southern parts of the country to avoid all non-essential travel.

In a statement released Saturday evening, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed Joly’s remarks.

“Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. We are working closely with allies and partners in the region to do everything we can to support affected Canadian citizens, including assistance departing from Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel as quickly and safely as possible,” he said, in part.

Trudeau further stated that Canada “stands firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, with dignity and without fear.” 

Also Saturday, the family of 22-year-old Shir Georgy confirmed her death after she went missing following Hamas’ attack on a music festival exactly a week ago, increasing the death toll of Canadians to four. There are three Canadians still missing.

The federal government is urging Canadians in or around the affected area to constantly consult its updated travel advice and advisories and sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service.

For emergency consular assistance, Canadians can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by calling [phone], texting [phone], via WhatsApp at [phone], via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad, via Signal at [phone], or by e-mail at [e-mail].