Thousands in Montreal rally for Gaza ceasefire, Canadians to leave ‘in coming days’
Global News
The rally was one of over two dozen held in Canadian cities on Saturday, calling for humanitarian aid and an end to Canada's support for Israel's military action against Hamas.
Thousands in Montreal demonstrated in support of people in Gaza on Saturday, drawing attention to the humanitarian situation and demanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau call for a ceasefire.
“At what point is it enough? How many civilians? How many children need to die before Justin Trudeau grows a spine and condemns the horrific actions of Israel?” one protestor said.
Police said the demonstration was peaceful and no arrests were reported. The rally was one of many held in more than two dozen Canadian cities on Saturday, including Ottawa and Toronto.
March organizers, the Palestinian Youth Movement, say it is calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed to flow into the territory and for an end to Canada’s support for Israel’s military action against Hamas, which the federal government has designated as a terrorist organization since 2002.
This comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said late this week that Canadians in Gaza will be allowed to leave in “the coming days” as Israel continues its air and ground assaults in the Hamas-controlled territory following the militant group’s deadly attack a month ago.
Global Affairs Canada says 516 Canadians and their family members are in Gaza and have called on the federal government to evacuate.
In a statement, Joly said she spoke with her Israeli counterpart Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen and “received assurances that Canadians and their families will be able to leave Gaza beginning in the coming days.” Federal officials tell Global News that could happen “as early as Sunday.”
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has reported that more than 9,440 Palestinians have died since the Oct. 7 militant incursion. Israel claims that attack killed over 1,400 people in southern Israel and resulted in more than 200 hostages being taken into Gaza.
