Canada mourns every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and express our condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence.

Canada continues to unequivocally condemn Hamas’s brutal terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, including the sexual and gender-based violence, and the killing, maiming, and abduction of civilians.

We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages and demand they be treated humanely in accordance with international law.

We reiterate the call for the facilitated departure of all foreign nationals in Gaza, including Canadians, trying to leave Gaza.

We recognize Israel’s right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of Palestinian civilians. Canada remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis and its severe impacts on Palestinian civilians, especially women and children.

The recent pause in hostilities saw the release of more than 100 hostages and allowed for more  humanitarian access to affected Palestinian civilians.

Canada regrets that this pause could not be extended, and continues to call for much needed fuel, water, and other much needed humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

To this end, Canada supports the “humanitarian ceasefire” referred to in this resolution, as a necessary step to protect civilians, allow for much more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and allow for foreign nationals to leave Gaza, including Canadians. In supporting this resolution, we also reiterate that a sustainable ceasefire cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields and lay down its weapons. Additional language should have been included in the resolution to acknowledge the role of Hamas in the conflict, including its taking of hostages and its use of human shields. This is why we also supported the Austrian and the United States proposed amendments to the resolution.

Canada remains committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security.