Although details on airlifts are still scarce, the official pointed out that Armed Forces planes will transport those who want to leave the region from Tel Aviv to Athens, Greece.

From there, she added, an Air Canada aircraft and crew will take the North Americans back home.

The government announced for the first time last night that the flights will be open to Canadian citizens, their spouses and children, as well as to permanent residents of the North American country and their families.

The latest federal figures indicate that 4,249 Canadians are registered in Israeli territory while another 476 are located in Gaza and the West Bank.

ef/abo/ro/ifs