Prime minister’s assertion marks Canada’s strongest language but on Israel’s conduct within the area, greater than 4 months into its struggle with Hamas.
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Printed Feb 14, 2024 • Final up to date 1 hour in the past • 3 minute learn
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OTTAWA — An Israeli army offensive into the densely populated space the place some 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge within the Gaza Strip could be “catastrophic,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned late Wednesday.
He mentioned in a joint assertion with the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand that the impression of such an incursion into Rafah could be “devastating” given the already-dire humanitarian scenario.
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“We urge the Israeli authorities to not go down this path. There may be merely nowhere else for civilians to go,” the assertion mentioned.
“There may be rising worldwide consensus. Israel should take heed to its buddies and it should take heed to the worldwide neighborhood.
“The safety of civilians is paramount and a requirement beneath worldwide humanitarian legislation. Palestinian civilians can’t be made to pay the worth of defeating Hamas.”
The assertion follows related warnings from america, different western allies and the United Nations. U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned earlier this week that Israel should not transfer forward with a potential army operation in Rafah and not using a “credible” plan to maintain civilians secure.
Town is situated alongside the border with Egypt, the place the one crossing that has allowed restricted site visitors because the battle started is closely managed.
Trudeau’s assertion marked Canada’s strongest language but on Israel’s conduct within the area, greater than 4 months into its struggle with Hamas.
The federal Liberals have confronted criticism, together with from the federal government’s personal caucus, for not placing extra stress on Israel to abide by interim orders the Worldwide Court docket of Justice, the United Nations’ highest court docket, handed down final month.
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The court docket made the ruling because it determined to listen to a case introduced by South Africa alleging that Israel is committing genocide because it targets Hamas within the Gaza Strip.
Wednesday night’s assertion famous that the court docket ordered Israel to guard civilians and make sure the supply of important humanitarian help.
South Africa’s authorities mentioned Tuesday it had lodged an “pressing request” with the UN court docket to contemplate whether or not Israel’s focusing on of Rafah was a breach of its provisional orders.
Trudeau and his counterparts additionally mentioned a sustainable ceasefire is important and can’t be one-sided, reiterating their condemnation of Hamas for the Oct. 7 assault that triggered the battle.
That day, militants killed 1,200 individuals in a brutal assault on Israel and took about 250 hostages.
Israel retaliated by declaring struggle on Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian territory has been beneath virtually fixed bombardment since and native authorities say greater than 28,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Worldwide efforts to dealer a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas suffered a setback on Wednesday as Israel reportedly recalled its negotiating staff and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of hobbling the high-stakes negotiations by sticking to “delusional” calls for.
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Netanyahu’s remarks got here hours after native media reported that the Israeli chief had ordered an Israeli delegation to not proceed talks in Cairo, elevating issues over the destiny of the negotiations and sparking criticism from the households of the roughly 130 remaining captives, a couple of fourth of whom are mentioned to be lifeless.
The family of the hostages mentioned Netanyahu’s resolution amounted to a “loss of life sentence” for his or her family members.
The mediation efforts, steered by america, Egypt and Qatar, have been working to convey the warring sides towards an settlement that may safe a truce.
The perimeters have been far aside on their phrases for a deal. Netanyahu has vowed to proceed the struggle till “whole victory” over Hamas and the return of all of the remaining hostages.
Hamas has mentioned it is not going to launch all of the captives till Israel ends its offensive, withdraws from Gaza and releases numerous Palestinian prisoners, together with high militants.
With information from The Related Press.
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