Canada calling for 'humanitarian pauses' to be considered amid Israel-Hamas war
CTV
The Canadian government is calling for 'humanitarian pauses on hostilities to be considered,' amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Tuesday, on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sharing a similar message at the UN.
The Canadian government is calling for "humanitarian pauses on hostilities to be considered," amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Tuesday.
"A civilian is a civilian. We need more humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and for Canadians to be able to exit," Joly said, in a post on X that stopped short of calling for a full and immediate ceasefire, which many including the UN secretary-general are calling for as the death toll in the region climbs.
The minister was echoing a brief comment Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made on his way into question period on Tuesday, in which he told reporters that the conversations happening now around temporary humanitarian pauses to allow for safe support to be delivered, are something Canada supports.
"Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization. They've committed unspeakable atrocities. Our priority throughout this needs to be the continued protection of innocent civilians, the liberation of the hostages," Trudeau said.
"That's why we're engaged closely with our allies on trying to build humanitarian corridors, get aid in, get civilians and foreign nationals out of Gaza."
At a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about a "pause" as well.
"Israel must take all possible precautions to avoid harm to civilians. It means food, water, medicine and other essential humanitarian assistance must be able to flow into Gaza and to the people who need them," he said. "It means civilians must be able to get out of harm's way. It means humanitarian pauses must be considered for these purposes."
