The approximately 160 Canadians trapped in the Gaza Strip could not be evacuated on Saturday due to “violence” at the Rafah crossing, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. She assures that their evacuation from Gaza, the “worst place to be in the world”, is her “priority”. Meanwhile, the evacuation of Canadians in the West Bank is expected to begin Tuesday and Canadians in southern Lebanon are encouraged to leave.
The situation in Gaza, just as in the West Bank and in the north of Israel, on the border with Lebanon, is very “volatile”, said Minister Mélanie Joly at a press conference on Saturday. She was then in Jordan, after having met with her Israeli counterpart on Friday.
“I went to Israel for different reasons, but above all to understand the human impact of this unprecedented terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel,” she explained to journalists. I had the opportunity to see heartbreaking videos, against Israeli civilians, that I will never forget. »
The minister’s priority is to negotiate the passage of Canadians and their families caught in the Gaza Strip so that they can be evacuated to Egypt. Remember that since the Hamas attack a week ago, the Gaza Strip has been shelled by the Israeli army, which has also imposed a siege, preventing the arrival of water, food, medicine and fuel.
A window for the evacuation of foreign nationals was first established on Saturday, between noon and 5 p.m. local time, but the evacuation did not take place, confirmed Mme Joly.
PHOTO SAID KHATIB, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
People with foreign passports wait at the Rafah Gate hoping to cross into Egypt.
Mélanie Joly will be in contact with her Egyptian counterpart to understand what happened. According to his information, “violence” at the Rafah crossing prevented the evacuation. At the same time, the minister claims to have negotiated an agreement with Israel which will allow Canadian nationals to be evacuated.
“We are extremely concerned about the situation in Gaza, which is one of the worst places in the world to be at the moment,” she said.
Gaza 24 hours short of drinking water
Minister Joly claims to have increased discussions with a view to establishing humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip. According to a discussion she had on Saturday with a United Nations chief, Gazans are 24 hours away from running out of drinking water due to a lack of fuel to power the water desalination plant.
“This is why we must be able to offer water, food and fuel,” said Mr.me Joly at a press conference. “Israeli civilian lives are important, as are Palestinian civilian lives. At all times, international law must be respected. »
The minister also said she had discussed with her counterparts in neighboring countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to prevent the conflict from spreading to other regions. The situation on the border between Israel and Lebanon, in particular, is very “volatile”.
PHOTO SAID KHATIB, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Egypt, which closed its border with the southern Gaza Strip last week, will reopen it on Saturday to allow the exit of foreign nationals, the Associated Press reported.
Global Affairs Canada encourages Canadians and their families in Lebanon to leave the region. “We know that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks by Hezbollah,” explained Mr.me Joly. In the circumstances, we call on Canadian citizens who are in the region [du sud du Liban] to be very aware that they should leave the area and be in a safe place. »
An evacuation plan for the West Bank
On the side of the occupied West Bank, Mélanie Joly claimed to have negotiated an agreement with Israel, the Palestinian National Authority and Jordan to allow the evacuation of Canadians. The operation will take place by bus from Ramallah, in the West Bank, to Jordan’s capital, Amman, she explained. Everything should start next week, Tuesday.
PHOTO MUATH FREIJ, REUTERS
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi during a meeting in Amman, Jordan, October 14, 2023.
Flights organized by Canada from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Athens, Greece, will also continue on Sunday. So far, around 700 Canadians have benefited from it, said M.me Joly.
“It is certain, in my opinion, that Canada is in the process of seeing with all possible allies how to get Canadian nationals out,” Laurence Deschamps-Laporte, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University, told us. of Montreal and director of the Center for International Studies and Research (CERIUM).
“Canadian practice is that as soon as we are able to negotiate with allies to get nationals out, we don’t let anything pass. I expect Canada to try as hard as possible to benefit from this agreement. »
With Ariane Krol, The Press