'Even wars have rules': Trudeau calls on Hamas to free hostages, allow humanitarian access

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for Hamas to immediately free Israeli hostages and permit unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza, where a dire crisis is unfolding as the war in the region is into its tenth day.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for Hamas to immediately free Israeli hostages and permit unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza, where a dire crisis is unfolding as the war in the region is into its tenth day.

"It is imperative that this happens," Trudeau said, providing an update in the House of Commons on the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

The prime minister said that as evacuation efforts continue in Israel and the West Bank, challenges persist in opening a humanitarian corridor in Gaza — where Israel has cut off access to essential supplies including food, water and electricity — as it is governed by Hamas, which the Canadian government has designated a terrorist organization.

"Canada fully supports Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law and in Gaza, as elsewhere. International law, including humanitarian law, must be upheld by all," Trudeau said. "Even wars have rules."

Trudeau's remarks come as Parliament resumes for the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, and the subsequent Israeli retaliation. As of Monday, the war has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people.

The prime minister mentioned the work by Global Affairs Canada to glean more information about three other missing Canadians, who he said in French "may be hostages," as well as the $10 million in aid being offered to address "urgent needs" in the region.

"Over a week ago, Canadians awoke to horrifying images coming out of Israel, after the terrorist organization Hamas launched an attack of unspeakable brutality," he said.