Canada provides update on assisted departures out of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

October 21, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs provided an update on assisted departures out of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

“We are working tirelessly to help Canadians depart from the region.

“We will continue to assist the departure by land of Canadians, Permanent Residents and eligible family members from the West Bank. As of today, we have successfully assisted 33 departures and are planning for further transfers in the coming days. Our teams in Ramallah and in Ottawa continue to be in direct contact with Canadians in the West Bank who are seeking support to leave.

“We also continue to work around the clock to secure a window for Canadians to exit Gaza. We are continuing to communicate directly with Canadians, giving them the latest information regarding the situation and windows for possible exit at the Rafah border crossing.

“The safety of Canadians, at home and abroad, is our top priority. To date, we have helped nearly 1,600 Canadians, Permanent Residents and eligible family members as well as foreign nationals leave Israel. By the end of today, there will have been 17 assisted departure flights out of Tel Aviv over 9 days.

“We have been closely monitoring the demand for flights out of Tel Aviv and, now that many Canadians have successfully left Israel, the demand is decreasing and commercial options out of Tel Aviv are becoming increasingly available.

“Therefore, the last scheduled assisted departure flight from Tel Aviv will take place on Monday, October 23. Canadian Armed Forces aircraft will remain in the region on stand-by to rapidly respond should conditions change and the demand for assisted departures increase.

“My message to Canadians who are in Israel is clear: If you want to leave Israel for safety reasons, now is the time to do so. If you would like our help in doing so, you must contact Global Affairs Canada to register to take one of the remaining flights. And if you are assigned a seat, please take it.

“The situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip remains volatile and is deteriorating rapidly. Canada’s missions in the region are actively monitoring the situation and working with partners and like-minded governments, as well as with the international community, to address the situation.

“Canadians who need emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa:

• telephone: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available)
• email: sos@international.gc.ca
• SMS: +1 613-686-3658
• WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881
• signal: +1 613-909-8087
• telegram: Canada Emergency Abroad”

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