Canada begins commercially assisted departures from Lebanon

The Canadian government on Friday began coordinating commercially assisted departures for Canadians looking to get out of Lebanon amid mounting violence, Global News has learned.

Global Affairs Canada is reserving blocks of seats on commercial flights for Canadian citizens as it becomes increasingly difficult to book seats independently, sources in two government departments said.

The agency is stressing there are not an unlimited number of seats, and that these departures should not be considered evacuations. The government will also not help people get to the airport in Beirut, which was rocked by explosions Friday.

Any Canadian in Lebanon can use the reserved seats, but the government is reaching out directly to those who have expressed interest in leaving to encourage them to get on the flights.

People will still have to pay for the commercial flights themselves, sources said, but loans are available to those who can’t afford tickets.

More than 700 people have been killed by intensifying Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week, health officials said Friday, as Israel fights a cross-border battle with Hezbollah that risks turning into an all-out war.

Two Canadians were among those killed, the federal government confirmed.

The Israeli Defense Forces said Friday that a massive strike in Beirut hit the main Hezbollah headquarters in the Lebanese capital.

No military flights are being provided by Canada at the time.

Global News reported Thursday that the Canadian Armed Forces was increasing troops in the region to give the government more flexibility — including the ability to move quickly if an evacuation of Canadian citizens is ordered.

Assets have been pre-positioned for months in the event of an evacuation, but the government has