Canadian Man Urges Faster Lebanon Evacuation After Parents Killed in Israeli Bombing
October 1, 2024The Tabaja family had previously immigrated to Canada in the late 1980s to escape the Lebanese civil war, later returning to Lebanon to care for relatives.
Kamal Tabaja is urging the Canadian government to enhance its efforts in evacuating citizens from Lebanon following the tragic death of his parents due to an Israeli bomb.
His parents, 75-year-old Hussein and 70-year-old Daad Tabaja, were killed while attempting to flee escalating violence in southern Lebanon.
Tabaja expressed deep concern for his brother and other family members still in Lebanon, who are struggling to find safe routes out amid the ongoing conflict.
In response to the crisis, the Canadian government has begun booking commercial flights for citizens wishing to leave Lebanon, securing an additional 800 seats for upcoming flights.
As fears of a broader regional conflict grow, other Western nations, including Germany, have ramped up their evacuation efforts for citizens in Lebanon.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over a thousand deaths in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Reflecting on his loss, Tabaja described his parents as loving individuals who cherished family and nature, highlighting the profound impact they had on those around them.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has estimated that around 45,000 Canadians are currently in Lebanon, with only about half registered with the embassy.
Joly condemned the killing of Tabaja's parents and called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that civilians should not bear the brunt of the conflict.
Tabaja criticized the Canadian government for not only needing to evacuate citizens but also for failing to condemn the violence that has led to civilian casualties.
Joly has stressed the urgency for Canadian citizens in Lebanon to evacuate immediately, advising them to take any available seats on flights.
Summary based on 3 sources
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Sources
CTVNews • Sep 30, 2024
'You must leave now': Canada secures 800 plane seats to help citizens get out of LebanonCTVNews • Sep 30, 2024
'I don't want to bury more people': Son of Canadians slain in Lebanon implores Ottawa