Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller expressed his "anger" at the prevention of the list of people associated with Canadians from leaving the besieged Gaza Strip.

Ottawa began accepting applications last month to reunite up to 1,000 people in the Palestinian territories with their extended families in Canada.

Canada submitted a preliminary list of pre-approved individuals to Israel and Egypt, who jointly control the only border crossing outside of Gaza.

Immigration Minister Mark Miller said in the parliamentary hall today, Wednesday: "There may be some fear on the ground about allowing these people to leave, but it is a humanitarian gesture and it is very frustrating for me."

Miller previously said he is ready to be flexible about the number of people who can access the program.

However, he said in the House of Commons on Tuesday that it is "very difficult" to expand the program if no one can cross the border.

The minister confirmed that he is exploring diplomatic options and wants to investigate them before stating them publicly.

Miller continued: "I don’t want to create a system that raises false hope, but I also don’t want to fold my arms and not try."

"It is really frustrating, and obviously it is a matter of life or death for the families involved."

If the people listed on the government list are able to cross the border, they will still need screening before being allowed to board a flight to Canada.

Miller's office did not mention when the list was submitted to the officials or how many names are on it.

The Gaza Strip has been subjected to almost continuous bombardment since the start of the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas in early October, and humanitarian supplies have been very limited.

Officials in the areas controlled by Hamas say that more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed in the past four months.

Israel declared war on Hamas after its fighters stormed the country on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting nearly 250 hostages.