The escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has prompted Ottawa to urge Canadians who are currently there to leave as soon as possible.
Foreign affairs minister, Melanie Joly says the security situation could deteriorate further without warning. Joly warns the more the armed conflict intensifies the more it may negatively affect Canadians’ ability to leave and Canada’s capacity to provide consular services.
In a statement today by Joly, Ottawa noted that it is not currently offering assisted departures or evacuations for Canadians in Lebanon, meaning citizens will have to find commercial flights out of the country.
In the meantime, Canadians will have to frequently check the federal government’s travel advisories and register with the federal service to receive updates.
The fighting between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed, Hezbollah unfolded right after Hamas’ attack in Israel on Oct. 7. But a larger scale war appears more likely in recent weeks. Hundreds of Hezbollah militants and more than 80 civilians have been killed.
Israel has also lost 16 soldiers and about a dozen of non-combatants. Israel’s defense minister met with the Pentagon and other U.S. security officials on Tuesday and there are calls for a diplomatic solution.
The federal government also announced further measures against Hamas on Tuesday, sanctioning nine people and two financial entities, saying they took part in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.