FALCON POWERS – On Monday, Canada announced its intention to grant visas to five thousand residents of the Gaza Strip, which is more than it had previously committed to. Canada said it was “appalled” by an Israeli air strike on Rafah that caused a fire leading to the deaths of 45 people.
The visas, which will be granted to relatives of Canadians living in the Gaza Strip, represent five times the number of temporary residence permits under a special program announced by Canada in December. Ottawa had initially pledged to grant 1,000 visas to Gaza residents. Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, “While leaving Gaza is currently not possible, the situation may change at any time. By increasing the cap, we will be ready to assist more people as the situation evolves.”
A spokesman for Miller said 448 Gaza residents had obtained temporary visas, including 254 under a policy unrelated to the special visa program, and that 41 people had arrived in Canada so far.
A late Sunday night Israeli air strike caused a massive fire that killed 45 people in a camp in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. The attack drew global condemnation.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on Monday, “We were appalled by the airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Rafah,” adding that Canada does not support an Israeli military operation in Rafah.
Joly added, “This level of human suffering must end. We call for an immediate ceasefire,” echoing comments from international leaders who urged compliance with an International Court of Justice order to halt the Israeli offensive.
