In the video: IDF Spokesperson on the activity in Gaza: There is still a lot of work to be done, it will take time/IDF Spokesperson
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that the "killing of women, children, babies" in Gaza must stop, in his strongest criticism of Israel since the war against Hamas erupted more than a month ago. His remarks echoed French President Emmanuel Macron's statement last week, which was also strongly condemned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Canada stresses that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, which murdered more than 1,200 people on October 7 and kidnapped some 240 people to Gaza. However, Canada, like the United States and other allies, is expressing growing concern over the rising death toll in Gaza. According to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, 11,350 people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict.
"I call on the Israeli government to exercise maximum restraint. The world is watching, on TV, on social media — we're hearing testimonies from doctors, family members, survivors, children who have lost their parents," Trudeau said at a news conference in British Columbia. "The world is witnessing this killing of women, of children, of babies. This has to stop."
Trudeau also said Hamas must stop using Palestinians as human shields and release all hostages.
About <> Canadian citizens, permanent residents and family members have been evacuated from Gaza, he said. Last week, Trudeau called for a significant humanitarian pause in the fighting to allow for the release of all hostages and the delivery of sufficient aid to address civilian needs.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a tour of a factory in British Columbia, November 14, 2023/Reuters
Netanyahu strongly condemned Trudeau's remarks. "It is not Israel that targets civilians, but Hamas that beheaded, burned and massacred civilians in the worst atrocities committed against Jews since the Holocaust," Netanyahu wrote in an X English post. "While Israel does everything to prevent harm to civilians, Hamas does everything to keep them in danger. Israel provides civilians in Gaza with humanitarian corridors and safe areas, Hamas prevents them from leaving at gunpoint."
"Hamas and not Israel are the ones who should be held accountable for committing a double war crime – deliberately harming civilians while hiding behind civilians. The forces of civilization must back Israel in defeating Hamas' barbarism."
Since the outbreak of the war, there has been a sharp spike in antisemitic incidents in Canada, including shooting at Jewish schools and an attempted arson attack on a synagogue.
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