Canada’s response to the crisis in Israel and Palestine
The security situation remains volatile and unpredictable in Israel and Palestine, following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel, which Canada unequivocally condemns.
Canada is deeply alarmed by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the terrible situation for the civilian population, exacerbated by severely restricted access for humanitarian partners seeking to provide assistance. Canada continues to call for a UN-led humanitarian response with safe and unimpeded access into and within Gaza. The ceasefire is a welcome development and Canada urges the parties to fully adhere to it.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. Heightened tensions in the region could pose further security risks.
The security and economic situation in the West Bank is also of concern. Frequent Israeli military operations throughout the West Bank, as well as rising extremist settler violence against Palestinians, have led to thousands of casualties and resulted in clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians.
Canada’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is guided by its historic and unwavering commitment to a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side in peace and security. Prospects for a two-state solution have been steadily eroding, as a result of the pervasive threat of Hamas’ terrorism, continued Israeli settlement expansion and extremist settler violence in the West Bank, and the Israeli government’s ongoing military operation in Gaza, and failure to alleviate the resulting humanitarian crisis.
For these reasons, Canada recognized the State of Palestine on September 21, 2025, as part of a co-ordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. This decision was predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) commitment to much-needed reforms, including the commitment by PA President Abbas to fundamentally reform the PA’s governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.
Special measures for people living in Gaza
Special measures are in place for people who:
- currently live in Gaza and
- are extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
Learn more about the special measures
For enquiries, contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):
- 613-321-4243
- IRCC's crisis web form
- Select the option “I need help with something else and I am impacted by the crisis in Israel and Palestine” from the dropdown list.
On this page
- Travel advice and advisories
- Information for Canadians in Israel and Palestine
- Emergency contact information for Canadians
- How Canada is helping
- News
- Related links
Travel advice and advisories
Consult the latest travel advice and advisories to stay updated and informed on security conditions and country-wide and regional risk levels:
Israel
Travel advice and advisories - Israel
Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
Lebanon
Travel advice and advisories - Lebanon
Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
Jordan
Travel advice and advisories - Jordan
Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
Information for Canadians in Israel and Palestine
Canadians who want to leave Gaza
The Government of Canada continues to assist Canadian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members to exit Gaza through land border crossings when conditions allow and when approved by local authorities.
Non-Canadian immediate family members include:
- A spouse or common law partner of a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- A dependent child (under 22 years of age and unmarried) of a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
- A dependant child of a dependant child of a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
The Government of Canada does not ultimately decide who can leave the Gaza Strip.
If you are seeking to leave the Gaza Strip:
- Keep your travel documents and personal belongings secure and with you at all times
- Be ready to travel to the border crossing on short notice
Register with us
We urge all Canadians in Israel and Palestine to sign up for the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service, so that we can provide them with direct, important updates as the situation evolves and for further information on assisted departures.
Due to infrastructure damage, there could be connectivity problems in the Gaza Strip. If you're a family member of a Canadian citizen or of a permanent resident who is currently in Gaza and unable to register with us, please contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre at: sos@international.gc.ca.
Land borders
Due to the ongoing conflict, entry to and exit from the Gaza Strip is currently extremely limited. When open, land borders may be affected by limited authorized daily crossings, reduced hours or closure on short notice.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on behalf of travellers who do not meet the destination’s entry or exit requirements.
Airports
There are ongoing tensions in the region, but Ben Gurion International Airport remains open to commercial flights. The hostilities could resume with little or no warning and result in travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations and airspace closures and in military debris falling in various locations.
During previous attacks, drones, missiles, and other projectiles have struck targets in Israel.
Dual citizens
Travellers with dual citizenships departing Israel or travelling to and from Palestine may be subject to certain additional exit requirements. For further information, see the Entry and exit requirements section in our Travel advice and advisories for Israel, and Palestine as well as for the destination country.
Emergency contact information for Canadians
Canadians and their families who are in Israel or Palestine and need emergency consular assistance, should contact the Embassy of Canada to Israel in Tel Aviv at 972 (3) 636-3300, the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah at 972 (2) 297-8430 or Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre: sos@international.gc.ca.
How Canada is helping
Canada is contributing over $400 million in international assistance to address urgent humanitarian and resilience needs stemming from the crisis in Palestine.
Canada’s humanitarian assistance covers a range of sectors, with an emphasis on helping deliver emergency health care, food, nutrition supplies, shelter and clean water to vulnerable populations. Canada is also supporting protection work, including emergency rehabilitation for people disabled by the conflict, psychosocial support and the provision of gender-based violence prevention and response services. In addition to supporting humanitarian efforts in Palestine, Canada also stands ready to provide assistance for early recovery efforts in Gaza that will support the restoration of essential services, particularly the health sector, once conditions allow. It will be delivered through experienced UN, Red Cross and NGO partners that have the necessary operational capacity on the ground to respond.
Canada uses a systematic screening process and anti-terrorism provisions in its support to partners to ensure the sound fiscal management of international assistance funds. Canada is continuing to work with partners across the region to promote peace, stability and economic opportunity.
Learn more about Canada's partnerships and priorities in the Middle East and North Africa
News
Related links
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