Canadians stuck in Gaza as other foreigners leave

Foreign passport holders waiting to cross into Egypt at the Rafah crossing on 2 November.

Hundreds of Canadians remain trapped in Gaza as foreign nationals from other countries have been able to cross into Egypt.

No Canadian is on a list published by Gaza border authorities of those approved to leave on Thursday, which includes 400 US citizens.

On Wednesday, one Canadian was reportedly able to exit as the crossing opened to civilians.

Canada has registered about 450 people who want to leave the enclave.

The list of foreign citizens and dual nationals published overnight include dozens of European nationals, Sri Lankans, Mexicans, South Koreans and 400 Americans.

A first batch of 335 foreign passport holders and 76 seriously injured Palestinians were allowed to cross into Egypt on Wednesday.

The BBC understands there are about 7,000 dual nationals in Gaza.

The lists of those allowed to cross will be agreed between Egypt and Israel, with embassies from the relevant countries being informed in advance to ensure they can prepare to receive their citizens, Western officials have said.

In a statement, Global Affairs Canada said that it is working “around the clock to secure a window” for Canadians to leave Gaza and is communicating directly with citizens trapped there.

In total, Canada has provided authorities in the region with a list of about 450 eligible citizens, permanent residents and family members who want to leave the embattled territory.

Officials said they were aware of a Canadian citizen crossing into Egypt “with a third party”, although the government declined to give details, citing privacy considerations.

“Canada has one of the largest contingents of nationals in Gaza,” the statement added. “We expect further crossings daily over the coming days”.

The statement came on the same day Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with a group of Palestinian Canadians in Toronto.

More on Israel-Gaza war

A spokeswoman for the group, Reem Sultan, told the BBC that many are feeling “very upset and frustrated” that the Canadian government has been unsuccessful in securing safe passage for its trapped citizens.

Ms Sultan said that – in contrast to the government’s official statements – some Canadian friends and acquaintances of hers in Gaza have not yet been contacted by officials.

She said that some families with relatives in Gaza believe they “are being treated differently” than Canadian citizens who were evacuated from Tel Aviv in the early stages of the war.

According to the Canadian Air Force, more than 1,600 Canadians were flown out of Israel on 19 separate flights by military aircraft, with the last flight taking off on 23 October.

“Now, we’re not putting on enough pressure to get our citizens out…many are feeling as though they are not as important,” she said. “This is the part that is very confusing and frustrating for families.”

Canadians in Gaza have reported that they are facing mounting humanitarian issues, including shortages of fuel, lack of food, and contaminated water amid heavy airstrikes and bombardment from Israeli aircraft and artillery.

“Every minute that passes, people die,” she said. “Our families are at risk of dying at any moment.”

The group also demanded that Canada call for an immediate ceasefire in the war and a humanitarian corridor to allow food, water and fuel to be shipped into Gaza.

Canada, along with the US, the UK, and EU, has stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, instead pushing for a humanitarian “pause” in the conflict.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 9,000 people have been killed in the Strip since the beginning of the war.

Six Canadians were killed when Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October, killing more than 1,400 people and taking 242 hostages.

At least two Canadians are still reported missing.