Canada promises more visas for Gaza residents

Canada said Monday it will issue visas to 5,000 Gazans, more than it originally committed to, and said it was “shocked” by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that sparked a fire that killed 45.

The visas for relatives of Canadians living in the enclave represent a fivefold increase from the 1,000 temporary resident visas allocated under a special program Canada announced in December.

“Although movement out of Gaza is currently not possible, the situation could change at any time. With this cap increase, we will be ready to help more people as the situation evolves,” said Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

A spokesperson for Miller said 448 Gazans had been granted temporary visas, including 254 under a policy unrelated to the special visa program, and that 41 have arrived in Canada so far.

An Israeli airstrike caused a fire in a tent camp in the southern Gaza city of Rafah late Sunday evening, sparking outrage from world leaders including Canada.

“We are shocked by the attacks that killed Palestinian civilians in Rafah,” Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement, adding that Canada does not support an Israeli military operation in Rafah.

“This level of human suffering must end. We demand an immediate ceasefire,” Joly said, echoing world leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court order to halt Israel’s attack.

Canada has repeatedly supported calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, including at the United Nations.

Reuters