The Canadian government has reserved about 900 additional seats on commercial flights out of Lebanon to evacuate Canadian citizens as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly stated that the government has reserved seats on one flight per day between Friday and Sunday for Canadians who have filled out an intake form requesting departure information. However, not all seats are being taken, as only 275 passengers boarded the two flights from Beirut to Istanbul on Thursday, out of the 650 seats reserved for Canadian citizens. This is in addition to the more than 340 Canadians who left on government-reserved flights earlier in the week.
The situation in Lebanon is becoming increasingly dangerous, with a strike in the center of Beirut killing at least nine people on Thursday. The Israeli military has extended evacuation orders beyond a southern border zone, indicating the possibility of widening the ground operation. Despite the heightened tensions, the government has not ordered a military evacuation but has instead been preparing for such an action. Canadian military assets and troops have been pre-positioned in Cyprus for a potential mass exodus of foreign nationals set to arrive in simultaneous military evacuations by up to 10 countries.
Cyprus previously served as a hub for evacuees during the 2006 Lebanon War and is now being used as a staging ground for potential evacuations. Other countries such as Greece, the Netherlands, and China have already evacuated their citizens from Lebanon, while Spain plans to send military aircraft to evacuate its citizens. The G7 has called for a cessation of hostilities in the Middle East to create space for a diplomatic solution, amidst the escalating situation. Additionally, the Canadian government has faced criticism for the handling of its offers of seats and overall communication during the crisis in Lebanon.
Some Canadian citizens, such as Ammar Hussein who has family members stuck in Lebanon, have expressed frustration with the slow process of securing seats on commercial flights. Hussein’s mother and uncle have been registered with Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad system for weeks but have not received any updates or offers of departure. He highlighted the challenges faced by individuals trying to leave Lebanon amid the chaos of Israeli strikes and ground incursions. The government has emphasized the need for individuals to be ready to leave within 24 hours but is not providing assistance in getting to the airport.
Individuals like Ferial El Kadri, who has family members without Canadian citizenship, are facing additional challenges in trying to secure temporary visa status for their families. Despite the urgency of the situation, some individuals have not been offered seats on flights out of Lebanon by the government. Canadian citizens are urging the government to do more to expedite the evacuation process and ensure the safety of those stranded in Lebanon. Global Affairs Canada continues to work on offering seats to individuals who either can’t be reached or decline initial offers, but communication issues and logistical challenges persist in the ongoing evacuation efforts.
