Canada has announced a five-fold increase in visas for Palestinians in Gaza seeking to join their family members in the country, despite challenges in facilitating their departure from the bombarded Palestinian enclave.
Minister of Immigration Marc Miller stated on Monday that Ottawa would raise the number of visas offered to residents in Gaza to 5,000 under a special program announced in December.
“We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza. Many people are worried about their loved ones and have expressed significant interest in the temporary special measures we introduced for their extended family in Gaza,” Miller said in a statement.
Miller acknowledged that movement out of Gaza is currently not possible due to factors beyond Ottawa’s control, including the requirement for approval from Israeli authorities to leave the territory and biometric screening in Egypt.
“While movement out of Gaza is not currently possible, the situation may change at any time. With this cap increase, we will be ready to help more people as the situation evolves. Our focus remains on keeping families together,” Miller explained.
However, the Canadian visa program has faced criticism, as Canada has been unable to facilitate the departure of any Palestinians from the Gaza Strip under the scheme. This has led to frustration and anger among families seeking to reunite with their relatives in Canada amid Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza.
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly joined international condemnation following a deadly Israeli attack 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.
The attack on the tent camp in Rafah resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people, including women, children, and the elderly, and left 249 others wounded, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the civilian deaths as a “tragic mistake,” and an investigation into the incident is underway.
