(Ottawa) Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said Tuesday that the terrorist organization Hamas poses a threat to the entire world and must be “eliminated.”
Mr. Blair also indicated that he did not expect Hamas to respect international law, including any ceasefire agreement with Israel.
These are the most direct comments coming from a Canadian minister to explain the position of his government, which does not support calls for a ceasefire, notably coming from the New Democrats in Ottawa and even from certain members of the Liberal caucus.
The defense minister also appears unwilling to support more recent calls for a “humanitarian truce,” as suggested by the UN secretary general and now the Bloc Québécois. Mr Blair only points out that talks are underway to deliver more aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip.
More than a million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza since Hamas’ surprise attacks on Israel on October 7. These Gazans face severe shortages of food, water and fuel.
European foreign ministers agreed on Monday that a temporary halt to fighting was necessary to deliver aid to Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron is in Israel on Tuesday to push for such a “humanitarian truce” to provide supplies to Gazan civilians.