Trudeau says he hopes Gaza ceasefire will 'turn down the temperature' in Canada

Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas and taken into Gaza, react to the ceasefire announcement as they take part in a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Ohad Zwigenberg

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is welcoming news of a ceasefire deal to pause the 15-month war in the Gaza Strip.

He says he hopes the deal will “turn down the temperature” on tensions in Canada and rebuild strained relationships between people affected by the war.

Trudeau noted the deal could see Hamas return the body of a Canadian, Judih Weinstein Haggai.

The prime minister says Canada will do whatever it can to ensure the ceasefire is a success and he hopes it builds momentum for a two-state solution.

Qatar has announced a deal starting Sunday which would see Hamas release dozens of hostages in phases, in return for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allowing more aid into Gaza.

Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group staged a brutal attack in October 2023 and kidnapped scores of hostages.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent bombardment, while Israel says 1,200 people were killed in Hamas' initial attack. Both numbers include combatants.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2025