A family divided: Gazans who fled to Canada wait and worry for those left behind

After enduring months of the war in Gaza, Waseem Elrayyes and his immediate family have been fortunate to escape to Canada under the federal government’s temporary visa program. Elrayyes, 39, his wife, five children, mother, and brother have found refuge in Nepean with his sister Ola Alrayyes since October 31, 2024.

Prior to their arrival in Canada, the family sought shelter in crowded buildings and a tent in Gaza after their home was destroyed during the conflict. Elrayyes, unable to speak English, relied on his sister to interpret his harrowing experience of living through the war.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen, if it will be your last day or not,” shared Alrayyes, emphasizing the traumatic impact on the children’s mental health. The Canadian government introduced a special measure last January to allow eligible Gazans to stay in Canada for up to three years, with the original cap of 1,000 visas being increased to 5,000 in May to accommodate the growing demand.

Despite Alrayyes applying for 29 family members, only 16 have managed to arrive in Canada so far. The delay in processing applications is primarily due to the difficulty Gazans face in exiting the territory to complete their biometrics in Egypt. While 1,014 individuals have successfully completed this process, many like Elrayyes’ two sisters are stranded due to border closures.

Jamie Liew, an immigration law expert at the University of Ottawa, expressed concern over the slow progress in assisting Gazans to relocate to Canada, especially during the current ceasefire. With the ceasefire in place since January 15, Liew urged the Canadian government to act swiftly to facilitate the evacuation of individuals from Gaza before the situation escalates again.

Elrayyes and his family, while relieved by the temporary halt in violence, remain apprehensive about the uncertain future in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire, the devastation of infrastructure and the ongoing challenges faced by the people in Gaza paint a grim picture for the region. As they rebuild their lives in Canada, the Elrayyes family hopes for a brighter and more stable future, free from the horrors of war.