Canada says it is “horrified” by the Israeli raid in Rafah and pledges to provide more visas for Gazans

OTTAWA: Canada declared yesterday that it would grant visas to 5,000 Gazans, surpassing its initial commitment. The country expressed shock and horror over an Israeli attack in Rafah that resulted in a fire that claimed 45 lives.

Relatives of Canadians residing in the enclave now have five times more visas than they did when Canada unveiled a special programme in December that only granted 1,000 temporary residence visas.

Although it is now impossible to leave Gaza, things could change at any minute. As the situation develops, we will be prepared to assist more individuals according to this cap increase, stated Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

Miller’s spokesperson stated that 41 Gazans have entered Canada thus far after 448 were granted temporary visas, 254 of whom were granted them by circumstances unrelated to the special visa programme.

Late on Sunday night, an Israeli aircraft set fire to a tent camp in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, sparking a global outcry that included politicians from Canada.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement, “We are horrified by strikes that killed Palestinian civilians in Rafah,” and that Canada does not support an Israeli military incursion in the area.

“Human suffering at this degree needs to stop. Joly repeated the demands of world leaders who urged the fulfilment of a World Court order to halt Israel’s assault: “We demand an immediate ceasefire.”

Canada has consistently backed efforts, both at the UN and elsewhere, for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, had stated that something had “tragically gone wrong” and that the Rafah strike had not been intended to result in civilian casualties. The Israeli military announced that it was looking into the matter as it works to destroy Hamas in Gaza. 

The Palestinian refugee organisation UNRWA estimates that 1.7 million people, or more than 75% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced as a result of Israel’s offensive, while the local health ministry reports that about 36,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the conflict.

After Hamas attacked villages in southern Israel on October 7, killing almost 1,200 people and taking over 250 captives, according to Israeli estimates, Israel began its military campaign. – REUTERS