May 28, 2024
2 mins read

Canada pledges more visas for Gazans

A spokesperson for Miller said 448 Gazans had been issued a temporary visa, including 254 under a policy not related to the special visa program, and 41 have arrived in Canada so far…reports Asian Lite News

Canada said on Monday it will issue visas to 5,000 Gazans, more than it originally pledged, and said it was “horrified” by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that triggered a blaze causing 45 deaths.

The visas for Canadians’ relatives living in the enclave represent a five-fold increase from the 1,000 temporary resident visas allotted under a special program that Canada announced in December.

“While movement out of Gaza is not currently possible, the situation may change at any time. With this cap increase, we will be ready to help more people as the situation evolves,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller said.

A spokesperson for Miller said 448 Gazans had been issued a temporary visa, including 254 under a policy not related to the special visa program, and 41 have arrived in Canada so far.

An Israeli airstrike late on Sunday night triggered a fire in a tent camp in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, prompting an outcry from global leaders including from Canada.

“We are horrified by strikes that killed Palestinian civilians in Rafah,” Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement, adding that Canada does not support an Israeli military operation in Rafah.

“This level of human suffering must come to an end. We demand an immediate ceasefire,” Joly said, echoing global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court order to halt Israel’s assault.

Canada has repeatedly supported calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, including at the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that the strike in Rafah had not been intended to cause civilian casualties and that something had gone “tragically wrong.” Israel’s military, which is trying to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, said it was investigating.

Nearly 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, and an estimated 1.7 million people, more than 75 percent of Gaza’s population, have been displaced, according to the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA.

Israel launched its military campaign after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

ALSO READ-Indian Students Struggle with Housing, Discrimination in Canada

Previous Story

Spain pledges €1bn in military aid to Kyiv

Next Story

UNSC set to meet over deadly Rafah strike

Latest from -Top News

Nepal rescues over 1,500 stranded tourists

Nepali Army leads massive rescue of 1,500 trekkers stranded in Manang after heavy snowfall….reports Asian Lite News Nepali security forces have successfully rescued more than 1,500 trekkers, including over 200 foreign tourists,

Trump and Xi try reset in Busan

Trump and Xi strike conciliatory tone in Busan, hinting at a trade deal amid tariff disputes, fentanyl talks, and Trump’s shock nuclear weapons testing order….reports Asian Lite News In their first face-to-face

A new India-UAE cultural bridge

UAE and India reaffirm creative collaboration at New Delhi cultural roundtable, spotlighting the India House initiative and deepening ties through shared heritage, innovation, and artistic exchange…reports Asian Lite News The Embassy of

India, China reaffirm border peace

India and China reaffirm border peace during 23rd round of Corps Commander talks, pledging to maintain dialogue and stability under leaders’ consensus for long-term calm….reports Asian Lite News India and China have

Modi dials Takaichi

Modi, Takaichi reaffirm shared commitment to strengthen India-Japan partnership amid global security shifts…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, and congratulated her on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Diplomatic Tensions Escalate Over Nijjar Case

Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed outside a

We have lost contact with our teams in Gaza: WFP Chief

This comes at a time when Israel continues its ground