Hundreds of Canadians stuck in the Gaza Strip could leave the area as early as Sunday.
• Also read: “Everyone is afraid, everyone will look for water and food”: Canadian Palestinians fear for their loved ones
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• Also read: Gaza: Egypt will help evacuate “around 7,000 foreigners” via Rafah post
At least that’s what a message from Global Affairs Canada to Canadians trapped in Gaza suggests.
“We have been informed that more than 400 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members will be able to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing [à la frontière égyptienne] in the coming days, possibly as early as Sunday. We will be in touch with specific dates,” the ministry wrote, according to CTV News, which obtained a copy of the message.
Both the ministry and its minister Mélanie Joly publicly mentioned that more than 400 Canadians could leave the Gaza Strip, but did not put the date as Sunday, contrary to the communication sent directly to key stakeholders.
“I spoke to my Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen today and he confirmed to me that Canadians and their families will be able to leave Gaza in the coming days.” “My Egyptian counterpart confirmed his cooperation to me,” Ms. Joly said on X late Thursday evening .
I spoke to my Israeli counterpart today @elicoh1 and he confirmed to me that Canadians and their families will be able to leave Gaza in the coming days. My Egyptian counterpart confirmed his cooperation to me. AMC will provide Canadians with the latest information.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) November 3, 2023
In its update Friday, the ministry said it was in contact with 516 Canadians stuck in the Gaza Strip.
So far, only one Canadian has been able to leave the besieged area, on November 1, Global Affairs Canada noted.
The Gaza Strip has been a constant target of bombing attacks since the war began on October 7th.
Recall that the Hamas attack in Israel claimed at least 1,400 lives, according to Israel, while the reprisals claimed the lives of more than 9,200 Palestinians, including thousands of children, according to Hamas.