Sending Canadian special forces to Israel

Given the potential for escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including on the Israeli-Lebanese border, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs has requested support from the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure a rapid response should the situation escalate. Support for the evacuation of CanadiansThe ministry said in a statement.

In support of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) personnel are assisting the Canadian Embassy in Israel with contingency planningHe added this statement.

In a statement earlier in the week, federal Defense Minister Bill Blair said about 300 members of the Canadian military are in the area, with a task force stationed in Cyprus.

Officials did not explain what Canadian Special Forces personnel were doing in that area. Global News first reported on Sunday that members of the Canadian Special Forces were in Israel.

The Canadian army is already active in the region with the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, since the attacks launched by this armed Palestinian organization on October 7.

Military aircraft carried out several evacuation flights from Israel to Greece in the weeks following the start of the conflict between Hamas and the Israeli army. By the time those flights ended, Canada had helped about 1,600 citizens, permanent residents and their families leave Israel.

Canada warned again on October 28 that Canadian citizens in Lebanon should leave that country while they still can.

There is great concern that Hezbollah, as fighting intensifies in the Gaza Strip. It is possible for a Lebanese political party supported by Iran and an armed movement that supports Hamas to fully enter into the conflict. Clashes have already occurred along the border between Israel and Lebanon.

An estimated 40,000 to 75,000 Canadians live in Lebanon, according to Canadian government data.

Source: CBC/C.Bass Lang

Adaptation: RCI/R. Valencia