Canada to deploy troops to Lebanon amid increasing tensions to aid in possible evacuations: report

The Canadian Armed Forces is reportedly sending more troops to the Middle East in case an evacuation of Canadian citizens from Lebanon is ordered.

According to Global News, for months Canada has been pre-positioning assets in the region, but on Wednesday night, troops received an order to be ready to leave Canada in 48 hours.

The outlet also reported that Canada and Australia have jointly rented a cruise ship for evacuating Canadians.

Hezbollah terrorists based in Lebanon have launched thousands of rockets at Northern Israel since the deadly Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. Over 80,000 Israelis have been evacuated and are unable to return to their homes.

This month, Israel escalated strikes against the terrorist organization. Canada, the US, and other allies asked both sides to accept a 21-day ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that the offensive would not stop until Israelis could return to their homes.

Canada has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon for months via commercial flights as the situation has deteriorated.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that approximately 45,000 Canadian citizens are in Lebanon. Joly said earlier in the week that her department has been working with regional partners for months to prepare for a possible evacuation and over the weekend saw an increase in the number of requests for travel documents and visas.