Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Calls For Humanitarian Corridor To Deliver Help In Gaza


Trudeau says it's 'imperative' that supplies get through Israel's Gaza siegeIn a rare moment of unanimity, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre added his voice to the prime minister’s in calling for safe zones for Gaza's civilians

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is “imperative” that Israel respect international law and allow humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip, where one million people have been displaced in the first week of the war with terrorist organization Hamas.

Trudeau made those comments in the House of Commons on Monday, as MPs were returning from a break week. It was their first time reuniting since Hamas’s terror attacks on Oct. 7. Five Canadians were among the hundreds killed in the attack and three Canadians are missing, presumably kept as hostages by Hamas.
“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. Even wars have rules,” said Trudeau.Israel’s military has told Palestinian civilians to get out of the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of a possible ground invasion, and has demanded that Hamas return dozens of hostages taken from Israel.

An exit agreement for civilians through Gaza’s southern border with Egypt that international negotiators had hoped for has not materialized.Global Affairs Canada estimates that 300 Canadians, permanent residents and their families are attempting to flee Gaza, which has been under siege by Israel for days.

Civilians are running out of food, water and other necessities, while fuel supplies are running low. Canada has committed to sending $10 million in humanitarian aid, but getting supplies into Gaza cannot be done without an agreement for a humanitarian corridor.“Canada is calling for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian corridor so that essential aid like food, fuel and water can be delivered to civilians in Gaza. It is imperative that this happen,” reiterated Trudeau.