Canada has announced an increase in the number of temporary resident visa applications available for Palestinians living in Gaza.

The country’s immigration authorities have raised the issuance of these visas from 1,000 to 5,000, allowing more Palestinians from Gaza to apply for temporary residency in Canada.

In a recent statement, the Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship minister Marc Miller expressed concern about the humanitarian tragedy ongoing in Gaza.

He further added that many people in Canada are concerned about their relatives in Gaza.

Miller said that the ministry has been issuing more web access codes to allow people to apply for temporary resident visas.

He described Israel and Egypt as “important partners” in implementing these measures to help Gazans reconcile and reconnect with their relatives living in Canada.

“Canada is working – at every level – to facilitate the exit of extended family members and advocate for their safety. We will continue to advocate for people’s safety,” Miller said.

Canada had also introduced a temporary residency pathway for extended family members living in Gaza who are related to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Around 448 Palestinians from Gaza had been granted temporary visas, with 248 of those being under a policy unrelated to the special visa scheme and 41 of these Palestinians have made it to Canada, Miller confirmed.

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