The first two Canadian Armed Forces evacuation flights left Israel Thursday airlifting an estimated 281 Canadian citizens and their families out of the country.
The first flight carrying 128 passengers left Tel Aviv Thursday afternoon, and landed safely in Athens, while the second carrying 153 passengers, is expected to land safely later this evening, according to senior government officials.
Defence Minister Bill Blair first confirmed the initial flight had departed on Thursday morning, stating the federal government was "working tirelessly to assist Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza," in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We will continue to be there for Canadians who need help."
Israeli reprisal strikes were sparked by Canadian-designated terrorist group Hamas' incursion into Israel, slaughtering hundreds. Now into its sixth day—the war has killed, injured, displaced and stranded thousands, including Canadian citizens. GAC has now deployed 15 officials to various locations in the region, including Tel Aviv and Athens, to assist.
Noting that some allied countries have yet to embark on assisted departures, should there be room on the last flight or flights, federal officials indicated Canada was open to allowing citizens from allied nations who aren't offering airlifts to board. The Canadian government says it continues to look additional options for those who cannot get to Tel Aviv to board an evacuation flight, with hundreds of Canadians registered in Gaza and the West Bank where the absence of a humanitarian corridor means airlifts will not be possible.
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