Canadian Embassy Employee Saved from Missile-Hit Building in Israel 

A Canadian embassy employee survived a weekend missile strike in Tel Aviv after being pulled from a building located in the Israeli city.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand took to social media to offer thanks to the firefighters who assisted the woman in escaping from one of the numerous buildings that sustained heavy damage in the recent Iranian missile strikes.

“Thank you to the brave firefighters who helped a Canadian embassy staff member in a building that was struck by a missile in Tel-Aviv,” she wrote in an X post. “She was eventually rescued, along with other occupants of the building, and is safe and sound.”

Anand also noted she had a conversation with Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, adding that “Canada firmly supports Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of Iranian attacks.”

Foreign Policy Canada, which operates under Global Affairs Canada, said in a separate social media post on June 15 that Anand had also spoken with her counterparts in Europe, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Oman regarding Middle East peace talks.

“She voiced the importance of restraint, de-escalation, and a return to diplomacy,” the June 15 post said.

The Epoch Times contacted Global Affairs Canada for more information on the rescue of the embassy employee but did not receive a response by publication time. The government has not disclosed whether the woman sustained any injuries or if she was sent home or remains in Israel.

Operation Rising Lion

Israel launched its “Operation Rising Lion” in Iran on June 13, a surprise assault that included preemptive strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, military leaders, and high-ranking officials of the Islamic regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had stockpiled sufficient enriched uranium to develop nine atomic bombs, with Tehran able to produce the first of these bombs within a matter of months.

Iran retaliated by launching a series of missiles at Israel, with several penetrating Tel Aviv’s air defences systems and striking residential structures.

The nations continued to launch missiles on June 16 as casualties mount.

Israel has warned residents to evacuate the centre of Iran’s capital as its air campaign on Tehran continued on June 16. Strikes have killed at least 224 people since the campaign started at the end of last week.

Iran has launched more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, killing 24 people and injuring 500.

Iran has characterized its nuclear program as peaceful and for civilian purposes, but the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned that the nation possesses enough enriched uranium to produce multiple nuclear weapons should it choose to pursue that path.

Foreign Policy Canada said Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

“Iran’s continued efforts to pursue nuclear weapons, support for terrorists, and direct attacks on civilian centres embody Iran’s persistent threat to regional stability and to Israel, which has the right to defend itself,” the agency said in a June 14 social media post.

The government said it “condemns” Iran’s attack on Israel and “urges restraint on both sides.” It also suggested U.S.-led talks would be the best way to resolve the conflict.

“The U.S.-Iran negotiations represent the best path to achieving a lasting and peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear program,” the post said. “Diplomatic engagement remains essential to ensuring long-term regional stability and international security.”

Ottawa is advising Canadians to refrain from all travel to Israel due to the recent conflict with Iran and the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. The June 16 notice warns against travel to Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank.

A similar alert is in place for travel to Iran.

“Avoid all travel to Iran due to the ongoing hostilities with Israel, the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws,” the notice says. “The Iranian authorities have arrested and/or detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, to exert political or diplomatic influence on their governments.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.