Trudeau Calls for an End to the Killing of Innocents in Gaza, Netanyahu Reacts

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent comments on the “killing of women, children, and babies” in Gaza have elicited a sharp response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his response, Netanyahu argued that it is Hamas, not Israel, that should be held accountable for these deaths.

Netanyahu pointed to the attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. He emphasized that it is not Israel deliberately targeting civilians, but rather Hamas that has committed atrocities against civilians, including beheadings, burnings, and massacres. He described these acts as the worst horrors perpetrated on Jews since the Holocaust.

Netanyahu further stated that while Israel is making efforts to protect civilians and keep them out of harm’s way, Hamas is doing the opposite. He highlighted that when Israel provides humanitarian corridors and safe zones for civilians in Gaza, Hamas prevents them from leaving at gunpoint.

The Israeli Prime Minister asserted that Hamas, not Israel, should be held responsible for committing a double war crime by targeting civilians while using them as human shields. He called on the international community to support Israel in defeating Hamas’s barbarism.

Trudeau’s remarks on the situation in Gaza come at a time of growing global concern for the densely-populated region. Israel’s conflict with Hamas has already resulted in over 11,000 deaths in Gaza and displaced more than 1.5 million people. The dire humanitarian situation, including power cuts leading to the deaths of premature babies in hospitals, has drawn international attention.

These remarks from Trudeau mark his strongest criticism of Israel since the conflict began. The Canadian Prime Minister also called on Hamas to stop using Palestinians as human shields and release the Israeli hostages it currently holds.

The world now awaits further responses to this ongoing conflict.