Immigration Minister Marc Miller says 5,000 visas will be offered to Palestinians who wish to join family members in Canada.
Canada has announced a five-fold increase in visas for Palestinians seeking to reunite with family members in the country.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Monday that Ottawa would increase to 5,000 the number of visas offered to Gaza residents under a special program announced in December.
“We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza. “Many people are concerned about their loved ones and have expressed great interest in the temporary special measures we introduced for their extended family in Gaza,” Miller said in a statement.
Miller said the government is working to help Palestinians trying to leave Gaza, but that it is currently not possible to leave the territory due to factors outside of Ottawa's control.
Gaza residents wishing to join their family in Canada must obtain approval from Israeli authorities to leave the territory, before undergoing biometric screening in Egypt.
Earlier this month, the Israeli military took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as part of its offensive on the southern city.
“Although it is currently not possible to leave Gaza, the situation can change at any time. With this limit increase, we will be ready to help more people as the situation evolves. Our focus remains on keeping families together,” Miller said.
“Canada continues to submit to local authorities the names of those who have passed a preliminary check to ensure their departure from Gaza. “Israel and Egypt are important partners in implementing these temporary humanitarian measures and helping people reunite with their families in Canada.”
The announcement came as Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly joined a chorus of international condemnation following a deadly Israeli airstrike on a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah.
“This level of human suffering must come to an end. We demand an immediate ceasefire,” Joly said in a statement.
At least 45 people, including 23 women, children and the elderly, were killed and 249 others were injured in the attack on the camp, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the civilian deaths were a “tragic mistake” and that the incident is being investigated.
