Thunder Bay man went to Gaza to help wife make journey to Canada. Now they're trapped there

A Thunder Bay, Ont., resident who's among the hundreds of Canadians stuck in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war continues is trying to make the trek across the Rafah border into Egypt with his spouse.

Ahmed Abuhussein is a hydrogeologist for the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the only person in this role in the district. He completed his PhD at Western University in London, Ont., before moving to northwestern Ontario. Abuhussein obtained his Canadian citizenship last year, his close friend, Rami El Mawed, told CBC News.

This summer, Abuhussein received much-awaited news that his wife secured a visitor visa to come to Canada. Since the trip across the border from Gaza to Egypt isn't easy, even in the best of times, he took a flight there last month to help her make the journey to Canada, said El Mawed.

Five days later, on Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched a surprise attack against southern Israel that killed about 1,400 people, including several Canadians. In response, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza that has included airstrikes and ground troops.

Abuhussein and his wife have been there ever since.

"It's very dire consequences here that he's dealing with. It's definitely difficult on him, on everyone," said El Mawed.

Over 10,022 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,104 children, in Israeli strikes on Gaza since then, the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza said Monday. Some Western intelligence agencies have disputed the figures being given by the Health Ministry, though its reporting in previous conflicts has been viewed as generally accurate.

On Monday, the heads of several major United Nations bodies called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

A lack of cellular services has strained communications between Abuhussein and his friends and family, and has made it difficult to get information to him from Global Affairs Canada, the body responsible for facilitating the departure of Canadians from Gaza.

El Mawed, who is also a regulated Canadian immigration consultant, last heard directly from his friend on Friday. The next day, El Mawed got a call from Global Affairs Canada saying Abuhussein was on the list of Canadians approved to leave Gaza, but was told the federal government cannot facilitate his transportation to reach the border.

There's only one road left undamaged connecting the north of Gaza to the south. It's about a 40-kilometre drive between the Jabalia refugee camp, where Abuhussein and his wife are staying, and the crossing. 

"That's where I feel the Canadian government hasn't been doing enough to ensure their safe evacuation," El Mawed said.

Global Affairs Canada has told CBC News it is in contact with more than 500 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and family members trapped in the war-torn region. It's hoped departures will begin as early as Tuesday, but "this will continue to shift until the border reopens," the federal department said in a statement.

Bridget Antze has worked with Abuhussein at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for the last three years. She recalled the first time she went out in the field with him on a hot summer day and how he bought popsicles for everyone.