Israel is “pleased” that Canada joined the United States and France in claiming that Tuesday’s Gaza hospital explosion was caused by a Gaza-originated rocket and not the state Hebrew. Israeli Ambassador to Ottawa Iddo Moed said this on Sunday. Additionally, Canada will suspend assisted evacuation flights from Israel on Monday.
“The loss of life at Ahli Arab Hospital is a tragedy that should shock every person and is a reminder of the twin war crimes against Palestinians and Israelis committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza,” Moed said in a statement.
Recall that Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair indicated on Saturday evening that an independent analysis conducted by the Canadian Armed Forces had given the government “a high level of confidence” in the fact that the missile did not come from Israel.
Since Tuesday’s attack, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, left “at least 500 dead,” the two camps (Israel and Hamas) have blamed each other, but Israel’s allies have also intervened. On Wednesday, Joe Biden said Israel was “not responsible” during a visit to Tel Aviv, and on Friday France said its military had come to the same conclusion.
No special responsibility
Canada has not yet accepted any specific responsibility for the origin of the missile. Israel’s ambassador to Ottawa said he believed Canada’s further analysis would conclude the country was under attack by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). As the second armed group in Gaza after Hamas, the PIJ’s sole goal is a military victory over Israel in order to establish an Islamic state throughout Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israel blames the PIJ for the attack, and U.S. officials told The New York Times that their preliminary evidence also points in that direction.
“As Canada provides further updates, Israel is assured that further intelligence from the Israel Defense Forces, including the culpability of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, will be identified by Canada as the source of this war crime,” Mr. Moed said.
Canada’s unwavering support for Israel is not unanimous within the country. On Saturday, 33 federal MPs, including 23 elected Liberals, criticized the Canadian government’s position and called for a ceasefire.
End of evacuation flights
For her part, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly indicated on Saturday that Canada would suspend evacuation flights from Israel on Monday, citing a decline in demand and the growing supply of commercial options.
“The last scheduled supported flight from Tel Aviv will take place on Monday, October 23,” she said in a press release. Canadian Forces aircraft remain in the region and are ready to respond quickly as conditions change and demand for supported departures increases. »
According to Global Affairs Canada, nearly “1,600 Canadians, permanent residents and their eligible family members, and foreign nationals” were able to leave Israel as of Saturday evening.
Canadians are stuck in the Gaza Strip
“We also continue to work 24 hours a day to ensure an exit route for Canadians to leave Gaza,” Minister Joly added in her press release. We continue to communicate directly with Canadians and provide them with the latest information on the situation and possible exit options at the Rafah border crossing.”
The federal government is said to have “made 33 successful departures possible”. However, Justin Trudeau claimed on Friday that there were “more than 150” Canadians still in the Gaza Strip. “We’re potentially talking about 300 people,” he added. And at the time of writing, the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza was still imminent.
Mélanie Joly stressed that “the situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip remains unstable and is rapidly deteriorating,” while talks with the international community continue to negotiate the situation. His ministry is also planning “other transfers”. [en provenance des territoires palestiniens] in the coming days”.
With the Canadian Press