In the shadow of escalating hostilities across the Middle East, Canada has successfully evacuated seven of its citizens from Israel and the West Bank, while government officials report that most Canadians in the region have managed to find their own exit routes amid deteriorating security conditions.
The seven evacuees were transported via military aircraft as part of Ottawa’s limited evacuation operation, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who addressed reporters yesterday at a hastily arranged press conference in Ottawa. The evacuation comes as regional tensions have reached their highest point since the conflict expanded in early 2025.
“Our primary concern remains the safety of Canadians abroad,” Joly stated. “While we’ve directly assisted these seven individuals in particularly vulnerable situations, we continue to monitor developments closely and stand ready to provide additional support as circumstances warrant.”
According to Global Affairs Canada, approximately 6,500 Canadians are registered as being in Israel, with an additional 400 in the West Bank and Gaza. However, officials acknowledge the actual numbers may be higher, as registration with the embassy remains voluntary.
The majority of Canadians have departed through commercial means, primarily through Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, which continues to operate despite sporadic closures during rocket attacks. Others have crossed into Jordan by land, government sources confirmed.
Defence Minister Anita Anand confirmed that Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed to the region have established a temporary operations center in Cyprus to coordinate potential additional evacuations. “We have assets positioned strategically to respond if the situation deteriorates further,” Anand explained. “Our military stands ready to assist should commercial options become unavailable.”
Canadian diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv have been reduced to essential personnel only, though the embassy remains operational. The Canadian consulate in Ramallah has temporarily suspended in-person services, switching to remote assistance for Canadians in Palestinian territories.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking from Parliament Hill, emphasized the government’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation. “Canada continues to work with international partners to push for restraint and a return to dialogue,” Trudeau said. “The protection of civilians must remain paramount for all parties involved.”
The evacuation occurs against a backdrop of expanding regional instability. Economic analysts at Toronto’s Financial Institute suggest the conflict has already begun affecting global energy markets, with oil prices rising 4.7% this week alone.
For Canadians with family members still in the region, the government has established a dedicated 24-hour emergency response center. Officials urge all citizens in affected areas to register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service immediately and to follow direction from local authorities.
As tensions continue to mount in this strategically critical region, the question remains: will diplomatic interventions succeed in preventing what many experts now fear could become a wider regional conflict with global implications?
