Immigration minister angry Canadians blocked from leaving Gaza Strip

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - What could be a diplomatic hitch with Israel and Egypt that blocks Canadians from leaving the Gaza Strip is “immensely frustrating,” Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Miller said a list of 1,000 names of those pre-approved to come to Canada was given to the two countries who control the lone border crossing but there has been no movement on letting the Canadians leave.

“Perhaps there is some trepidation by people on the ground as to whether to let these folks out, but it's a humanitarian gesture and it's immensely frustrating for me,” he said. Miller underlined his anger at the delay by saying he was “Pissed off.”​​​​​​​

The government said 1,000 Palestinians who had sponsoring families would be allowed to temporarily come to Canada. Pro-Palestinian and Muslim organizations said the number should be increased and Miller said that is possible, but added there is no use in doing so the way things stand with no movement by Israel and Egypt to let people out of Gaza.

“I don't want to create a system that's entertaining false hope, but I also don't want to drop my arms and not try,” said Miller. “It's really frustrating, and obviously it's a matter of life and death for the families in question.”

Miller said he is considering other diplomatic solutions and wants to investigate them before making anything public.

Israel has launched a deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, killing at least 27,708 Palestinians and injuring 67,174 others, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.