Canada giving $10M in humanitarian aid for Israel, Gaza

The Canadian government is providing an initial $10 million in humanitarian aid to address urgent needs in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also says 130 Canadians safely landed in Athens after being airlifted from Tel Aviv earlier Thursday.

On Wednesday, the federal government said that flights of up to 150 passengers could begin leaving as early as Thursday.

READ MORE: First flight carrying Canadian citizens departs from Tel Aviv

Officials say nearly 700 Canadians in Israel have requested help to flee the country since violence erupted on Saturday.

It is not typical for Canada to provide military air transportation when commercial flights are still operating, but the federal government says people need help because it is challenging to get tickets.

Trudeau says a second Royal Canadian Air Force flight has landed in Tel Aviv and is listed on the departures board for Thursday evening local time, and a third for Friday afternoon.

READ MORE: How the Israel-Palestine conflict began decades ago

– With files from The Canadian Press