Carney calls Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid in Gaza ‘violation of international law’

Prime Minister Mark Carney called Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid in Gaza “a violation of international law” and that Canada condemns the Israeli government’s failure to prevent the “rapidly deteriorating” disaster in the region.

“Israel’s control of aid distribution must be replaced by comprehensive provision of humanitarian assistance led by international organizations. Many of these are holding significant Canadian-funded aid which has been blocked from delivery to starving civilians,” Carney said in a statement Thursday night.

“This denial of humanitarian aid is a violation of international law.”

Earlier this week, the UN’s human rights office reported that, since May, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to get food in the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, more than 100 charity and human rights groups said Israel’s blockade and military offensive on the region is pushing Palestinians towards starvation.

Israel says it allows enough aid into the territory and accuses Hamas of siphoning off aid, blaming the UN for failing to deliver food it has allowed in.

Earlier Thursday, a U.S.-led negotiating team in Qatar ended ceasefire talks with Hamas, claiming they showed “a lack of desire” to reach a truce and that the U.S. would consider alternative options to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.

Carney says Canada supports a two-state solution, calling on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire, for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages kidnapped in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and for Israel to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand echoed the prime minister’s words, calling on Israel to “allow the uninhibited flow of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians civilians.” She said she will travel to New York City next week for a UN conference that will focus on a two-state solution.

In a statement to CTVNews.ca, Noah Shack, CEO for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said the collapsed negotiations in Qatar prove Hamas is ”acting in bad faith.”

“Despite these developments, Prime Minister Carney condemned Israel and called on ‘both sides’ to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith,” Shack said. “It’s obvious that Hamas does not want an agreement. It wants to survive and retain power at any cost.”

Their statements come just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September.

″Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine," Macron posted. ″Peace is possible."

The diplomatic move makes France the first G7 nation to officially recognize a Palestinian state.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday he would hold an emergency call Friday with officials from Germany and France to discuss how to urgently get food to people in need and launch steps to build a lasting peace.

“The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible,” he said in a statement. The three European countries “all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Macron’s announcement, claiming the decision “rewards terror.”

“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it," Netanyahu wrote. “Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States “strongly rejects” France’s plan to recognize Palestine.

“This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” Rubio said.

With files from The Associated Press