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21 Canadians safe in Jordan after fleeing West Bank, government confirms
The first group of Canadians that asked the federal government for help leaving the West Bank crossed into Jordan on Monday, according Canada's minister of foreign affairs.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter,, travelling by bus to seek safety from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Joly's office later confirmed to CTVNews.ca that 21 Canadians made the crossing, and Defence Minister Bill Blair said 10 Australians and New Zealanders joined.
The minister said she was "elated" the group of Canadians arrived after "around the clock" work from teams in Israel, Jordan and Canada.
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Global Affairs Canada held a technical briefing Sunday to update Canadians on the crisis and the government's plans to help Canadians in the region.
Assistant deputy minister for consular security and emergency management Julie Sunday explained that the land transportation plan for the West Bank was "complicated."
She said Canadians would get on one bus from Ramallah and cross the West Bank through Allenby Gate. From there they would switch buses before entering Jordan.
Tensions have continued to escalate between Israel and Hamas, which the Canadian government has declared a terrorist group, since the surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Israel has responded with airstrikes and cutting off essential supplies, leading to what officials have called a dire humanitarian situation.
To date, five Canadians have been confirmed killed amid the war, as Canada continues to plan pathways for citizens, permanent residents and their families out of the war zone.
An estimated 1,400 Israelis have been killed, as have more than 2,700 people in Gaza, according to The Associated Press. Numerous others have been injured and displaced.
On Monday, Israeli forces were preparing for a ground attack into Gaza and had been asking civilians to find a way out of the region. There are about 450 Canadians registered in the West Bank and Gaza, and more than 6,800 Canadians registered in Israel.
A previous pathway out of Gaza to Egypt fell through over the weekend. But for the estimated 300 Canadians and their families in the territory, federal officials say they are continuing to push for a humanitarian corridor to be opened to allow for their safe exit.
As of midday Monday, more than 1,150 Canadians have been repatriated from Israel to Athens via a Canadian Armed Forced operation, according to the Canadian Embassy in Israel.
With files from 愛污传媒' Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter Rachel Aiello
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