In response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s urging for Israel to protect civilian life while waging a brutal war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked Trudeau on social media. Netanyahu claimed that it is not Israel, but Hamas that is deliberately targeting civilians and that the violence tragically unfolding in the region is instigated by Hamas.
Trudeau had expressed his concern for the “human tragedy” occurring in Gaza, and urged for a halt to the mass killings and suffering. The ongoing violence has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with Gaza’s largest hospital at the center of the conflict. Israel and Palestinians disputed Israel’s offer to allow hospital staff and patients to evacuate, and Hammas is allegedly using the hospital as a cover for its fighters. Canadian officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, have called for the protection of civilians and for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Retaliatory airstrikes and the subsequent Israeli siege have resulted in a dire lack of fuel and life-saving supplies in the Gaza Strip. With UNRWA’s operations at risk, senior Canadian officials have been involved in efforts to work with partners in the Middle East to secure the release of hostages and to facilitate evacuations for Canadians and eligible family members in Gaza. Tragically, one Canadian citizen confirmed as a hostage, Vivian Silver, was killed in the initial attack last month. One other Canadian citizen remains missing, with much concern for the safety of civilians and the work of the UN to be allowed to continue.