'Catastrophic' situation 'cannot continue': Open letter from Trudeau, other PMs calling for Gaza ceasefire

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks in Ottawa, on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)

The prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning. Israel’s ambassador to Canada responded, calling on Ottawa to step up against “those who try to disrupt global order.”

The letter presses Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the latest ceasefire proposal backed by U.S. President Joe Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue,” reads the letter.

The health ministry in Gaza says more than 39,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the nine-month war. Netanyahu, recently having arrived in Washington, D.C. for talks with U.S. leaders, has signalled a deal to return Israeli hostages is “ripening.”

The letter also calls on Israel to “respond substantively” to the UN’s advisory opinion on the occupied Palestinian territories, calling Israeli settlements there “unlawful.”

Last week, the top UN court said Israel had no right to sovereignty in the territories, and that it has violated international laws against acquiring land by force when it captured the territory 57 years ago. The opinion is non-binding, but it could impact international support for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu has denounced the opinion, arguing the territory is part of the Jewish people’s historic homeland.

Two-state solution, but without Hamas 

The leaders also renewed their positions on an eventual two-state solution, hedging that demand as a commitment “to working towards an irreversible path to achieving” it.

That two-state solution should not include Hamas at its helm, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his counterparts wrote. The group, which Canada has designated a terrorist entity, should have “no role in the future governance of Gaza.”

The letter comes just days after Hamas and rival faction Fatah announced they have agreed to form government together for the Palestinian territories in a potential postwar vision. The two groups met in Beijing for talks. They released a letter unveiling the unity deal, but provided few details on when or how such a government would take form.

Hamas has ruled Gaza for 17 years. Fatah is the main force in the U.S.-backed Palestinian Authority that administers parts of the occupied West Bank.

Israel responds

Israel’s letter, attributed to Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed, contends that a full hostage release is the “only solution” to achieve a ceasefire.

Moed also reiterated demands that Hamas “stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields” and to lay down its arms.

He says calls for a two-state solution are not feasible amid tensions with Hamas. He blamed Iran for ongoing conflicts with neighbouring nations and for influencing a Canadian man killed by Israeli police after he reportedly brandished a knife near the town of Netiv HaAsara, 300 metres north of the Gaza border.

The man was shot and killed on Monday after threatening local security officials, according to Israeli police. Canada’s consular services in the area are investigating.

Moed cited “reports” suggesting the man had been radicalized online.

The alliance announcement was widely criticized by Israel and its allies.

With files from The Associated Press.