| Calgary Herald; with files from Reuters |
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
A Calgary family remains stranded in Gaza after an evacuation of Canadians from the war-ravaged region was cancelled by Israeli officials Monday due to security concerns.
Marwan Diab, his wife Lina and their four preschool children left their Calgary home for Gaza City a few weeks ago.
"They were visiting. His father-in-law was sick and he passed away. His wife had to see her family. Now, they're stuck there," said Marwan's sister, Hanan Diab, who also lives in Calgary.
More than 30 civilians, including children, were killed on Monday, the third day of an Israeli ground offensive into the Gaza Strip, medics said.
International calls for a ceasefire are mounting in the conflict, which has claimed the lives of 540 Palestinians in 10 days.
Amid the bombings and tanks, Marwan Diab--who has lived in Calgary since the 1990s and recently finished his master's degree--is frantically trying to get his family home to Canada.
Being caught in a war zone is taking a toll on his daughter and three sons.
"Gaza is very narrow and there are bombs everywhere," said Hanan Diab. "They are terrified. His daughter sleeps with him because she's so scared."
She tried to reach her brother by phone Monday with hopes of hearing about an impending evacuation. But the line was so weak, she could hardly hear them.
"They are still hoping to be evacuated soon," she said.
Foreign Affairs has registered 58 Canadians in Gaza.
The federal government is working to secure the departure of 36 Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who have asked to leave the region, said Rodney Moore, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
"We are deeply concerned about the security of Canadians in Gaza and are working with Israeli authorities to confirm the soonest available window of opportunity to assist Canadians in leaving Gaza," said Moore.
Back in Calgary, the Diab family can only wait and pray for the safe return of their loved ones.
"I'm not just worried about my family or my uncle's family. I'm worried about the whole region. They're innocent. The people are innocent on both sides," said Hanan Diab.
"War is war. We hope peace comes. . . . We are praying for the war to stop."
smcginnis@theherald.canwest.com
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