Canada’s response to the crisis in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
On October 7, 2023, Hamas conducted a terrorist attack on Israel. This attack and the ensuing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in thousands of casualties.
The Government of Canada has since put in place measures to help Canadians get to safety, including assisted departures.
Special measures for people living in Gaza
Special measures are in place for people who:
- currently live in Gaza
and
- are extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
Learn more about the special measures
For enquiries, contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):
- 613-321-4243
- IRCC's crisis web form
- Select the option “
I need help with something else and I am impacted by the crisis in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
” from the dropdown list.
On this page
Travel advice and advisories
Consult the latest travel advice and advisories to stay updated and informed on security conditions and country-wide and regional risk levels:
Information for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip
Canadians who want to leave Gaza
We have been helping Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their eligible family members to leave the Gaza Strip. Our team of officials is meeting Canadian travellers on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border and providing them with support and care.
The situation at the Rafah border crossing remains fluid and unpredictable. Significant delays and unexpected closures can be expected at the Rafah border.
Global Affairs Canada will continue to contact Canadians, permanent residents and their eligible family members to inform them about when they can leave the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing.
We are working closely with authorities on all sides to make sure that Canadians who want to leave Gaza can exit safely and as soon as possible.
We are communicating directly with those who have requested assistance to share the latest information with them, including departure information.
The Government of Egypt will allow those who cross into Egypt from Gaza to stay in the country for a maximum of 72 hours (3 days). Canadian officials are on the Egyptian side of the border to facilitate transportation to Cairo by bus and help with travel onward to Canada. While in Cairo, Canada is providing accommodation, food and basic necessities to those who cross from Gaza into Egypt.
Global Affairs Canada is also helping to facilitate travel onward at the traveller’s own expense. Financial assistance in the form of private funds transfers and emergency loans are available to those in need.
Register with us
We urge all Canadians in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to sign up for the Government of Canada’s
Registration of Canadians Abroad
service, so that we can provide them with direct, important updates as the situation evolves and for further information on assisted departures.
If you're a family member of a Canadian citizen or of a permanent resident who is currently in Gaza and unable to register with us, please contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7
Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
Land borders
Due to the security situation, operations at all land borders may be affected by limited authorized daily crossings, reduced hours or closure on short notice.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on behalf of travellers who do not meet the destination’s entry or exit requirements.
Airports
Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv remains open and some commercial airlines are still operating and offering assistance in departing Israel for a nearby destination and for onward travel. Flights are available, although may be limited and/or cancelled at the last minute. Travellers should contact airlines or travel agents if they are scheduled to travel to or from Tel Aviv.
Dual citizens
Travellers with dual citizenships departing Israel or travelling to and from the West Bank or Gaza Strip may be subject to certain additional exit requirements. For further information, see the section on Entry and exit requirements in our
Travel advice and advisories for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
as well as for the destination country.
Emergency contact information for Canadians
Canadians and their families who are in Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip and need emergency consular assistance, should contact the Embassy of Canada to Israel in Tel Aviv at 972 (3) 636-3300, the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah at 972 (2) 297-8430 or Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7
Emergency Watch and Response Centre
:
- Telephone: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available).
- Email:
sos@international.gc.ca
- SMS: +1 613-686-3658
- WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881
- Signal: +1 613-909-8087
- Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad
When contacting us
When contacting the Emergency Watch and Response Centre, clients should have the necessary information on-hand for themselves and all individuals with them. This includes but is not limited to:
- travel documents, including any numbers and personal information
- contact information
- location in Israel, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip
- relationship to the individuals in the group.
This will help ensure we can manage cases appropriately and that the services needed are provided as promptly as possible.
How Canada is helping
Canada announced that it is providing $140 million in international assistance funding to address urgent needs stemming from the crisis in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Israel and neighbouring areas.
Canada’s humanitarian assistance funding will help provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services and other life-saving assistance. The funds are being allocated as follows:
- Humanitarian Coalition: $13.77 million
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: $16.11 million
- Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: $4 million
- UNICEF: $9 million
- United Nations Population Fund: $8 million
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East: $45 million
- World Food Programme: $24 million
- World Health Organization: $5 million
An additional $10 million will be allocated toward experienced Canadian non-governmental organization partners.
Canada is providing $5 million in development assistance funding to the United Nations Office for Project Support to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2720, the coordination mechanism for Gaza. Of this amount, $1 million will go to supporting the operation of the maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza.
Canada will ensure that no money goes into the hands of Hamas.
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