Canadians say they are stuck in Israel amid deadly fighting as airlines cancel flights and it proves difficult to reach the Canadian embassy over Thanksgiving weekend
Posted at 2:24 p.m
The armed group Hamas fired thousands of rockets from Gaza on Saturday, sending dozens of fighters into the war against Israel. The attack and counteroffensive killed hundreds of people on both sides.
Marie and Kendall Fullerton, Toronto residents who were vacationing in the country when fighting broke out, say their flight was canceled and they spent the day trying to rebook another one, without success.
The couple say they are desperate to leave the area for fear of an escalation of violence, but have been unable to receive information or assistance from the embassy in Tel Aviv because it is closed over Thanksgiving weekend.
Robbie Segall, a 22-year-old interning in Israel, says he currently feels safe in the West Bank village of Efrat, but is frustrated by the lack of care or support from the Canadian government.
Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday, but advised the more than 1,400 Canadians registered in Israel and 492 in the Palestinian territories to restrict their movements and shelter in place until they can safely leave.