Palestinians in the GTA appeal to federal government to help loved ones flee Gaza
CBC
A group of Palestinians living in the GTA are appealing to the federal government to bring family members living in Gaza to Canada faster than standard immigration policies allow.
Milton local and permanent resident Abdallah Alhamadni says they're hoping Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will create a humanitarian pathway for Palestinians fleeing from the Israel-Hamas war, similar to those implemented for people escaping violence in places like Syria and Ukraine.
"I have a great hope, it's not impossible to do that," said Alhamadni, adding Canada has a reputation for helping people around the world find safe haven in the country during times of crises.
"We would like to be treated the same."
Israel's siege of Gaza, launched after the Oct. 7 cross-border attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants, has left the enclave's 2.3 million people running out of food, water, medicine and fuel.
Humanitarian aid was let into southern Gaza for the first time on Saturday after Israel's military pounded northern Gaza and warned it would increase its attacks following the surprise infiltration of its borders by Hamas militants. A second convoy was headed to Gaza on Sunday.
An expected ground offensive is likely to lead to a dramatic escalation in casualties on both sides in urban fighting. More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed in the war — mostly civilians slain during the Hamas incursion — according to the Israeli government. The Israeli military on Saturday said at least 307 of its soldiers have been killed since Oct. 7.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday that the death toll in the enclave has reached 4,385, while 13,561 people have been wounded.
Brantford, Ont., local and permanent resident Ahmad Abualjedian says his wife — who's expected to deliver his daughter and first child sometime Sunday — is still in Gaza along with his sisters and brothers.
He says he's already lost family members due to violence and is worried about losing more, on top of the stress he feels knowing his wife has to deliver in such dire circumstances.
"People just live there, they have nothing to do with anything," said Abualjedian.
"I lost my sister. Should I lose more to convince ... humanity to help us?"
CBC Toronto has reached out to the IRCC for comment but did not hear back by publication time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that Canada supports Israel's right to self-defence while adding that international law must be upheld in Gaza. More than 30 MPs — 23 of them Liberals — have written a letter to Trudeau calling on him to advocate for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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