(Ottawa) The news is “positive” at the Rafah border crossing, reports Justin Trudeau, as Ottawa tries to negotiate a right of passage for the approximately 400 Canadians who are stuck in the enclave. A Canadian national has already managed to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
A glimmer of hope seems to be on the horizon, according to what the Prime Minister communicated on X at the end of the day, Wednesday.
“The news related to the Rafah border crossing is positive, and we are working to get even more people out – including Canadians and all foreign nationals,” he wrote.
An evacuation window opened at the border crossing on Wednesday. Dozens of foreigners were able to leave for the first time the Gaza Strip besieged by the Israeli army.
According to the most recent information provided by the Trudeau government, no Canadians appeared on a list of approximately 400 foreign nationals who were authorized to leave.
But Global Affairs Canada expects “new daily crossings over the coming days”, and continues to “work around the clock to ensure a possibility of departure”.
Canada has sent its partners in the region a list of nearly 450 eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their family members who wish to leave, according to the ministry.
“We are optimistic that the border at Rafah has been opened and welcome the support of the parties involved in achieving this important step,” it added.
“We have a plan in place to welcome Canadians, permanent residents and their family members once they pass through Rafah,” Global Affairs Canada said.
The ministry said it was aware of reports that a Canadian citizen “crossed the Rafah border with a third party”, but refused to say more for reasons of confidentiality.
with Agence France-Presse