As 1K Canadians leave Lebanon, thousands more still eligible, officials say – National [Video]

As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, more than a thousand Canadians have left Lebanon over the past nine days through commercial flights, with more seats available this week.

Since Sept. 29, a total of 1,162 people, including Canadians, permanent residents and immediate family members, have flown out of Lebanon, Global Affairs Canada said in an update on Monday evening.

The federal government began co-ordinating commercially assisted departures for Canadians looking to get out of Lebanon at the end of last month amid an intensifying conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Global Affairs is booking batches of seats on commercial flights. On Monday, one flight carried 104 Canadians.

Additional flights, with nearly 600 seats available, are scheduled to depart from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The ongoing crisis has rendered communications extremely difficult throughout Lebanon,” GAC said.

“Despite these challenges, Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch …