Getting out of Gaza

A two-part episode following Canadians desperate to get their families out of Gaza.

PART 1.

A decade ago in Gaza, Mohammed Fayad worked for the UN in the education and IT departments. He fled Gaza as a refugee bound for Indonesia, but had to leave his family behind. Years ticked by and he watched his kids grow up through videos. His ex-wife, the kids’ mother, eventually had to flee too. So the kids came under the care of Mohammed’s brother. Then finally, just over a year and a half ago, Canada accepted Mohammed as a refugee. That changed everything as he could finally apply for his kids to join him in Burnaby BC. It's an effort that became increasingly urgent when fighting started. Now, after a decade apart from his kids, he's put everything else on hold to get them out.

PART 2.

The Canadian government says it's working to get Canadians and their immediate family out of Gaza, but some family members don't meet the criteria. According to Global Affairs Canada, the only people eligible for emergency evacuation are spouses, common-law partners or children under 22 of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. For Israa Alsaafin, a Canadian who lives in Ottawa, this leaves her helpless to bring her parents, siblings, in-laws and 10-month-old nephew to safety. Her sister is sending her increasingly panicked voice memos as they struggle to survive.