Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging Israel’s president to avoid accelerating the conflict with Lebanese Hezbollah, citing concern for civilians already at risk from the Islamist militant group’s rockets.
In a July 4 call with President of Israel Isaac Herzog, Mr. Trudeau “voiced Canada’s concerns over further escalation along Israel’s northern border, which Hezbollah continues to bombard with rockets,” according to a readout provided by his office.
Israel’s northern border with Lebanon has remained under pressure due to regular skirmishes with Hezbollah since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack by the militant group’s ally Hamas. Hostilities have intensified recently, however.
The Incident Response Group is composed of relevant ministers and senior officials and usually only meets to respond to a crisis.
A Prime Minister’s Office statement on the meeting said the “state of readiness to respond to potential scenarios” was discussed.
In the meantime, the government has called on Canadians in Lebanon to leave while flights are still available.
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“Assisted departures or evacuations cannot be guaranteed in the event of further escalation,” the PMO statement said.
The evacuation ended on Aug. 15, 2006, a day after the end of the war.
Outgoing Canadian military chief General Wayne Eyre told CBC News that a contingency plan is in place to evacuate approximately 20,000 Canadians from Lebanon if necessary. The plan is dependent on allied support.
While Canada has recommended its citizens leave Lebanon, the United States has yet to make such a move.
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