The Canadian government is removing the children of diplomats from Tel Aviv as fears grow that rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah could escalate into all-out war.
“As a result of an escalation of conflict in the Middle East, Asuntos Globales de Canada approved the temporal resubmission of dependent children and its legal guardians from Tel Aviv to a safe country”, says Asuntos Globales de Canadá in a communication with my colleagues the night.
Ottawa says Canada's embassies in Israel, Lebanon and Canada's representative office to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah remain open.
Similar evacuation efforts are not underway in Beirut or Ramallah because “no dependent children under the age of 18” are accompanying diplomatic personnel, Global Affairs said.
Ottawa has urged Canadians to avoid all travel to Israel, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.
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The “temporary relocation” of the diplomats' families comes as the military is also assisting the embassy in Beirut with “contingency plans” and assessing “future threats that could result in demands for support for Canadians and their interests.”
According to the Government of Canada, more than 40,000 Canadians live in the country, but federal officials have warned Canadians in the region not to count on an evacuation and to leave while commercial options remain available.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) “are currently positioning resources in the Eastern Mediterranean region to enable Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to provide logistical and planning support,” the Department of Defence said in a statement.
“Forward positioning of assets is part of standard CAF preparatory activities that support planning and liaison activities with other government departments and agencies, as well as information sharing among allies to ensure optimal situational awareness in the region.
“Due to the volatility of the situation and the fact that contingency planning is ongoing, we will not be providing further details at this time.”
Tensions have soared since the assassinations of two Hezbollah and Hamas leaders last week.
Israel said it killed Fouad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah military commander, in retaliation for a rocket attack from Lebanon that killed 12 children and teenagers.
Israel, for its part, declined to comment on the airstrike that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran the following day, July 31.
Haniyah was in town for the inauguration of Iran's new president. Iran supports Hezbollah and Hamas. Canada lists both organizations as terrorists.
The assassinations of its top leaders have raised fears of broader reprisals and a vast regional war.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas turned 10 this week, with no end in sight.
–with files from Associated Press
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