Many are watching the war in Israel unfold here in Ontario, feeling scared and helpless as they try to stay connected to their loved ones who are in danger.
One woman from Cambridge, Ont., tells CityNews her family’s home in the Gaza Strip has been destroyed and she fears they won’t make it out alive.
“I’m just so terrified if I will talk to them again and see them again,” said Beesan Sheheda.
Sheheda said her mother, brother and his family have been displaced and are currently running for their lives in Gaza. She now spends her days anxiously waiting for that video check-in, but communication is dodgy and she knows it could black out at any moment.
“Every day I try to make my daughter speak for one minute with my mom through video just to make sure my daughter will know her one day. It’s too much to bear.”
With evacuation flights now underway in Israel, Canadians stuck in the Gaza Strip are also desperate to get out.
According to Global Affairs Canada, there are 475 people combined that are registered in the West Bank and Gaza, including Beesan’s sister-in-law, and her young niece and nephew.
“There is no answer from the foreign affairs minister about any Canadian, how to get them out of Gaza till now,” said Beesan. “Israeli-Canadians they are out, but people in Gaza are still here trapped running for their lives and no plan from the Canadian government on how to get them out.”
Government officials said about 250 people have asked for consular help, including 70 in Gaza.
Three Canadians have been confirmed dead among the at least 2,300 people killed so far in a conflict that began after Hamas conducted brazen attacks in Israel last Saturday.
As Israeli air strikes continue raining down on the Gaza Strip, more than 300 medical staff with Doctors without Borders are on the ground.
The organization has had a presence in Gaza for more than 20 years and Executive Director Joseph Belliveau tells CityNews the situation is catastrophic.
“‘Jet fighters are demolishing entire neighbourhoods block-by-block,’ that’s a quote that came from my colleague this morning,” said Belliveau.
With power in and out and basic necessities like water and fuel in short supply, he said hospitals are overwhelmed, ambulances are being hit by rockets and the wounded keep rolling in.
“Pain killers and antibiotics, we are almost out of those very essential items. We have some emergency stocks of medical supplies but we went through three weeks of medical supplies in three days,” explained Belliveau.
Belliveau is calling this a critical humanitarian crisis.
“There have been major violations of international law by all parties to this conflict and we are calling them to respect civilians and to take measures to protect civilians.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday Canada is giving an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance for urgent needs in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
As for getting Canadians out, Ottawa says without the creation of a humanitarian corridor, there is nothing the Canadian government can do.
