Canada will start evacuating Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their families from Israel by the end of the week. Those in Gaza and the West Bank may have to wait longer.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced plans to airlift Canadians from the airport in Tel Aviv Wednesday morning, four days after Hamas launched a surprise invasion of Southern Israel.
The Canadian Press reported Canadian Armed Forces flights from Tel Aviv to Athens, Greece, will start in the coming days, and the federal government will arrange flights to Canada.
The first Polaris plane will land in Athens on Wednesday morning, and a shuttle service will run between the two capitals.
Tuesday night, Joly tweeted her government is also working on options for those who can't reach the airport in Tel Aviv.
She also advised Canadians in Israel to register with Global Affairs by calling 1-613-996-8885 or sos@international.gc.ca.
Joly said 4,249 Canadians are registered in Israel and another 479 in Gaza and the West Bank.
However, there are no plans yet to evacuate Canadians from Gaza, although Canada is working with the United Nations.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Windsor Islamic Council stated it is "gravely concerned over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
Israel has cut off water, food, and electricity to the Gaza Strip following the attack by Hamas.
"On behalf of the Muslim community of Windsor, WIC calls for the calm and de-escalation of hostilities. It is our position that all human life is sacred and that violence against civilians from any party can't be justified," read the statement.
Multiple media reports said the number of dead over the past four days has reached more than 2,100. Hamas has also taken up to 150 people hostage and threatened to execute them if Israel continues attacks on Gaza.
Joly could not confirm if any Canadians were among the hostages but did say three had died in the violence.
