Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced today, Thursday, that the first Canadian military flight to evacuate citizens, permanent residents, and their families from Israel has departed from Tel Aviv.

Blair stated that nearly 130 passengers were on board the Royal Canadian Air Force planes.

The Canadian government has moved to implement an evacuation plan to bring Canadians stranded in Israel back home following the devastating attacks launched by Hamas over the weekend and amid escalating violence in the region, with Israel striking Gaza.

Ministers earlier this week said that the planes would transport passengers to Athens, from where commercial flights would be able to bring Canadians back to the country.

Blair stated that a second military flight will be deployed soon.