No Canadians, foreign nationals crossed from Gaza to Egypt on Wednesday: Global Affairs

Long wait times expected for Gaza refugees program Immigration lawyer Kelly O'Connor says the unclear processing time of Canada's Palestinian refugee program is concerning as the war rages on

No Canadians or other foreign nationals were able to pass through the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt Wednesday as it remained closed for the day, the federal government has confirmed.

"Canadians who were at the border today for crossing were contacted, and we are hopeful the border will reopen tomorrow to allow them to cross. Canada does not determine when or how many persons can cross each day," the update from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said.

"As the situation is quite fluid and unpredictable, Canadians should be prepared for significant delays and unexpected closures at the Rafah border."

Earlier in the day Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said the crossing closed due to an unspecified "security circumstance," but is expected to reopen at "regular intervals" so aid can enter and foreign nationals can leave.

This comes after the first group of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their family members crossed through Rafah on Tuesday. GAC said then that 75 people had made it through.

In its update on Wednesday afternoon, the federal department said it is supporting them with "consular assistance, food, accommodations and some basic necessities as they plan their onward travel."

GAC also said it is aware of reports that four Canadian citizens have been able to cross through Rafah with a third party.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen was in Cairo, Egypt Wednesday "to further key bilateral relations on the ongoing work on the situation in Gaza," GAC added. The minister also met with Canadian embassy staff and Canadians who have left Gaza.

"Canada continues to engage all relevant parties to ensure that Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members presently in Gaza can exit safely and promptly," the federal department added.

"We continue to communicate directly with Canadians, asking them to have their travel documents at hand and be ready to travel on short notice."

The names of 40 Canadians, many with dual citizenship, were included in the latest list from Gaza's General Authority of Crossings and Borders of people allowed to leave.

GAC last week said the Israeli military had told Canada that more than 400 Canadians would be able to cross the border in the coming days.

Amid rumours that the Rafah border crossing may close again on Friday, Rob Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, said Wednesday the federal government has "not heard that" and that Egypt is "attempting to control the entry" of people into its country.

"The situation is constantly fluid. It's a war going," he said.

"However, we're working very closely with Egyptians, with Israelis, with Qataris, to get as many Canadians out as quickly as possible, given the fact that there is a war going on, given the fact that there is a constant change in the situation and it's not safe all the time to get out."

The Egyptian government is allowing those who cross from Gaza to stay for up to three days.

Nearly 5,800 Canadians have registered as being in Israel, along with 450 in the West Bank and Gaza, and more than 18,000 in Lebanon.

The more than month-long war between Israel and Hamas, which governs Gaza, has led to thousands dead and injured. More than 1,400 people have died in Israel, most of them civilians killed in Hamas' deadly attack on Oct. 7, while another 242 people were taken hostage, The Associated Press reports.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reported that the number of Palestinians killed in the war has passed 10,300, including more than 4,200 children. Meanwhile, violence and Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank have killed more than 160 Palestinians.

GAC said it's aware of six Canadians and another with deep connections to the country who have died in the conflict, and another two Canadians remain missing.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters