UPDATE: Situation in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the agreement to secure the return of hostages taken by Hamas and observe an extended humanitarian pause in Gaza:
“The agreement on the release of hostages and an extended humanitarian pause in Gaza is progress. Thousands of families were devastated by the terrorist attacks on October 7, and this will allow many families to be reunited with their loved ones. I thank Canada’s partners in the international community, including the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, for their efforts in helping negotiate this agreement. We look forward to its full implementation, and we call on all parties to respect its terms. We also continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages.
“Rapid, sustained, and unimpeded access to humanitarian relief remains critical. Much more is needed to address the dire humanitarian situation and urgent needs of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Civilians must be able to get the life-saving assistance they need, including food, water, fuel, and emergency medical supplies, quickly. Canada has already committed $60 million in funding to trusted partners for humanitarian relief, and we stand ready to provide additional support.
“Canada will continue to work with regional partners to make sure Canadians, permanent residents, and their eligible family members in Gaza can leave. We urge all parties to facilitate the exit of Canadians and other foreign nationals from Gaza.
“We must do everything possible to avoid the further loss of innocent civilian life and move toward long-lasting peace in the region. Canada mourns the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives following the October 7 attacks, and we will continue to stand firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, and dignity, without fear. We will continue to support a two-state solution where a peaceful, prosperous, and safe Palestinian state thrives alongside a peaceful, prosperous, and safe state of Israel.”
Rafah Border Crossing
To date, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has facilitated the crossing into Egypt of over 450 Canadians, permanent residents and their eligible family members though the Rafah border. The Embassy of Canada in Cairo is currently providing them consular assistance, food, accommodations and some basic necessities as they plan their onward travel. Communications remain difficult with blackouts to Gaza’s main telecom services, although when partially restored, we continue to contact Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members through all available channels and will also continue to be in touch with their loved ones in Canada. Canada does not determine who is ultimately permitted to enter Egypt at the Rafah border crossing, nor when or how many persons can cross each day.
As the situation is quite fluid and unpredictable, Canadians should be prepared for significant delays and unexpected closures at the Rafah border. Canada continues to engage all relevant parties to ensure that Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members presently in Gaza can exit safely and promptly. We continue to communicate directly with Canadians, asking them to have their travel documents at hand and be ready to travel on short notice.
Canadians in the Region
There are currently 5,638 Canadians registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad in Israel, 434 Canadians registered in West Bank and Gaza, and 18,023 in Lebanon. As registration with the service is voluntary, this is not a complete picture of Canadians outside the country, nor an indication of the number of Canadians abroad that wish to stay or leave. Canadians in the affected region are encouraged to register to receive up to date information.
Global Affairs Canada has responded to 13,167 enquiries since the beginning of the conflict.
Most enquiries relate to options for departure and the overall security situation.
GAC is providing support to seven Canadian families following deaths in the current hostilities, as well as to the families of two Canadians who are missing.
Consular services continue to be available to Canadians, however the government’s ability to provide consular services in the Gaza Strip is limited.
The safety of Canadians, at home and abroad, is our top priority. 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 65 departures. 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 urge restraint when communicating about reported incidents of hostage-taking situations and recommend against speculation. The government’s priority in hostage-taking cases is to protect the lives of the hostages; putting details into the public domain can affect the safety of hostages. Public communications relating to hostages could potentially prolong the ordeal and further endanger lives. As it is impossible to know what a hostage has told their captors to protect themselves, the emergence of details to the contrary could heighten the danger they face. Commentary on incidents of hostage-taking can be extremely distressing for family and friends of the victims. We ask that you be respectful of the privacy of those involved.
Travel Advisories
We recommend that Canadians avoid non-essential travel to Israel, and avoid all travel to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and border areas. Canada is conducting assisted departures from Israel and is planning assisted departures from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, to safe third locations, as conditions allow.
Canadians in or around the affected area should constantly consult our updated Travel Advice and Advisories and sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. Please also visit our webpage on Canada’s response to the crisis in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
We would like to stress that the Government of Canada continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon due to a deteriorating security situation, civil unrest, the increased risk of terrorist attack and the ongoing armed conflict with Israel. The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular services during an active conflict, including evacuation of citizens, may be limited. Emergencies may require that individuals shelter in a place with a robust supply of food, water and medications.
Diplomatic Presence
This month, Minister Hussen travelled to Bahrain and Jordan, engaging with foreign officials and NGOs on many topics including humanitarian cooperation, humanitarian work and safety, bilateral relations and development in the region.
Last month, Minister Joly went to the region twice, to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE. She is also in contact every day with Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the US.
Our missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah will continue to remain open, unless security conditions do not allow for it. Officials in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, and Ottawa continue to work non-stop to provide emergency consular assistance to affected Canadians. Those in Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon are also supporting this work and we have called upon surge capacity in Ottawa’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre responding to the crisis and assisting Canadians around the clock.
To enhance its ability to support and to further assess the needs on the ground, Canada is also deploying members of Global Affairs Canada's Standing Rapid Deployment Team (SRDT) to the region. The SRDT is composed of highly trained employees who are on standby ready to deploy on short notice to assist the Government of Canada when responding to emergencies. Team members provide emergency response, coordination, consular assistance and logistical support.
Border Operations
Due to recent events in Israel, West Bank and the Gaza Strip, operations at all land borders may be affected by limited authorized daily crossings, reduced hours or closure on short notice. Israeli authorities may also unexpectedly close checkpoints in the West Bank.
If you’re planning to cross the border between Israel and Jordan or Egypt, between the West Bank and Jordan, or between Gaza and Egypt, you should verify the status of the border crossings before you travel. Borders with Lebanon and Syria are closed.
Flight Operations
Israel, Gaza, West Bank: Canada was one of the first countries to send in planes. 19 flights have brought more than 1,650 people to safety. With declining demand for flights out of Tel Aviv and increasing commercial options, our last assisted departure flight took place Monday, October 23rd. We were the first country to get people out of the West Bank. Our work continues to help Canadians depart from the West Bank and Gaza. Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv remains open and some commercial airlines are still operating and offering assistance in departing Israel for a nearby destination and for onward travel. Flights are available, although may be limited and/or cancelled at the last minute.
Lebanon: We have informed Canadians in Lebanon that if the armed conflict in the country were to intensify, it could impact their ability to leave the country by commercial means. Canadians should not rely on the Government of Canada for assisted departure or evacuation. The best time to leave a country is before a crisis if at all possible. They should leave by commercial means now if they can do so safely. Government assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare. There is no guarantee the Canadian government will evacuate private Canadian citizens and their family members in a crisis situation. In the event of an evacuation, Government of Canada assisted departures will only be available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Lebanon, as well as their accompanying spouse, dependent children, or in the case of a minor, their accompanying guardian.
Canadians in need of assistance who would like support to depart the region should contact: sos@international.gc.ca and provide the following information for everyone in their group:
Full name;
Date of birth;
Place of birth;
Status in Canada (Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada, etc.);
(If applicable) Canadian Passport number/Permanent Residence (PR) number;
(If applicable) Canadian Passport expiry date;
Other nationalities;
Whether all of travel / identification documents are currently in their possession
Whether any of the following situations apply:
expired Canadian passport,
expired Permanent Residence card,
no previous application for Canadian citizenship, or
in need of a Canadian visa;
Contact phone number;
E-mail address; and
Location (including any landmarks that may be helpful).
All travellers will require valid travel documents for their assisted departure. Canadians should have all their travel documents (passports, permanent resident card, etc) ready and accessible and be ready to travel on short notice.
If Canadians or any members of their family do not have valid travel documents for Canada, they need to complete the appropriate application as soon as possible.
For Permanent Residents please see Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Travel Document. Non-Canadian spouses and dependent children who are not Permanent Residents will require a valid Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization.
The required onward travel to Canada from a safe third location will be at their own expense. Pets will not be part of an assisted departure. Strict baggage limits will be enforced.
More information here: Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members in Lebanon – Documents to travel to Canada - Canada.ca
Humanitarian Assistance
We are extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The rapid and unimpeded access of humanitarian relief for civilians is essential. Canada will continue to call on all parties to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law. Canada relies on experienced and trusted Canadian and international partners to deliver assistance in the West Bank and Gaza. We will continue to support civilians with life-saving humanitarian assistance, while ensuring that no money goes into the hands of Hamas, pursuant to Canada’s no-contact policy. Moreover, no Canadian assistance is provided directly to the Palestinian Authority. Global Affairs Canada exercises enhanced due diligence and uses anti-terrorism clauses in partner agreements to prevent funds being diverted to terrorist groups. These efforts are continuously reviewed to adapt to rapidly evolving situations.
To date, the Government of Canada has announced $60 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address acute needs of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring areas, while ensuring that none of the money goes into the hands of Hamas. This funding will help provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services and other life-saving assistance.
Furthermore, we are committed to being there for Palestinian civilians affected – and by matching donations made to Humanitarian Coalition we’re making sure trusted partners can deliver life-saving services. Find out more here.
Consular Assistance
Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance in Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon should contact Global Affairs Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre:
by calling: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available).
by text message at: +1 613-686-3658
via WhatsApp at: +1 613-909-8881
via Telegram at: Canada Emergency Abroad
via Signal at: +1-613-909-8087
by e-mail at: sos@international.gc.ca
Canadians in Lebanon in need of emergency consular assistance should e-mail the Embassy at berut-cs@international.gc.ca
Consular officials stand ready to provide consular services to Canadians requiring assistance.
The Government of Canada will continue to issue updates to Canadians in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through our Travel Advice and Advisories.
Canadians should also sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and monitor messages issued through this service.
When contacting the Emergency Watch and Response Centre, Canadians should have the necessary information on-hand for themselves and all individuals with them. This includes but is not limited to their:
travel documents, including any numbers and personal information,
contact e-mail and/or phone number,
location, and
relationship to the other individuals in the group.
This will help ensure we can manage cases appropriately and that the services needed are provided as promptly as possible.
Minister Joly designates Senior Official for Hostage Affairs
Minister Joly announced that the Government of Canada is designating a Senior Official for Hostage Affairs. The role is assigned to Global Affairs Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Consular, Security and Emergency Management.
The Senior Official for Hostage Affairs will engage with government representatives and others to seek the release of Canadian hostages abroad, including in the Middle East. The Senior Official will also continue to advance the Initiative Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, which involves efforts with partner countries to deter, prevent and respond to this egregious practice.
Julie Sunday, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Consular, Security and Emergency Management since January 2022, now assumes this new role, in addition to her existing responsibilities.
