Evacuating Gaza is an “almost impossible” task, according to a former Canadian diplomat The Middle East, the eternal conflict

A former Canadian representative in the Palestinian territories told Radio-Canada that it is practically impossible to return Canadians stranded in the Gaza Strip, while Ottawa prepares to evacuate its citizens to Israel and the West Bank.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since Hamas seized power in this small Palestinian enclave in 2007. With about 5,500 people per square kilometre, Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Normally, there is very strict control over everything entering or leaving Gaza, whether by sea or land.Douglas Scott Proudfoot, a former Canadian representative to the Palestinian Authority, who resided in Ramallah between 2016 and 2019, said. So evacuating civilians from Gaza is very difficult, and these days almost impossible.

The Gaza Strip is heavily fortified, with a concrete wall and double fencing. Anyone who approaches within one kilometer of this checkpoint risks being shot and killed by the Israeli army patrolling the border.

There are only two crossing points, one with Egypt in Rafah, and the other with Israel in Beit Hanoun. They are not always open. For example, in 2020, the Rafah and Beit Hanoun crossings were open only 125 days a year, according to the organization.United nations.

According to Global Affairs Canada, there are 4,249 Canadians registered in Israel and 476 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Of that number, nearly 1,000 Canadians have requested consular assistance, including 750 in Israel, 180 in the West Bank and 70 in Gaza. These numbers are constantly changingHowever, he did identify a source from Global Affairs Canada.

For Canadians in Israel who wish to return to Canada, the government plans to carry out repatriation operations this weekend by deploying a Canadian Armed Forces aircraft to Tel Aviv, which will transport them to Athens. From there, Air Canada flights will be organized to return evacuees to Toronto or Montreal.

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Ottawa is also in discussions with Jordan regarding this Facilitating the departure of Canadian citizens in the West Bank who cannot travel to Tel Aviv.

But when it comes to Canadians stuck in Gaza, the options are severely limited, Global Affairs Canada said Wednesday. There are no evacuation plans at this time For these Canadians and their families.

It is very easy to leave Israel, much more difficult to leave the West Bank, and almost impossible to leave Gaza.

As an official from Global Affairs Canada told reporters on Wednesday, during a press conference, Lack of physical access With Canadian citizens in the Gaza Strip due to the absence of any Canadian consular office in this Hamas-controlled area. But this does not mean that there is no communication with them.he added.

He also confirmed that there are ongoing negotiations between the two partiesUnited nations and various other countries in the region to study possible options. Currently, the Israeli army has completely closed the fencehe adds.

The White House said on Wednesday Work actively Israel and Egypt agreed to allow civilians to leave Gaza, which has been the scene of Israeli air strikes of rare intensity following Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel.

Civilians are not responsible for what Hamas didJohn Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said he was unable to do so advertisement minute or to specify A specific road or corridor.

According to Mr. Proudfoot, this would be the solution maybe For Canada. He points out that in times of crisis, many countries come together to facilitate evacuation tasks.

I’ve been involved in this type of mission myself, but I can tell you that this one presents a unique challenge.He said.

There are no magic solutions for evacuating civilians from the Gaza Strip, which is precisely why we issue travel warnings against… To go into this area, Mr. Proudfoot adds. Because once you’re in there, there’s no way you can get out.