The escalating dispute between Israel and Gaza forebodes a disheartening worsening before any glimpses of resolution can come to light, as indicated by Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Melanie Joly.
Traversing the tumultuous waters of diplomacy, Joly has been actively communicating with her counterparts in Israel, Gaza and their neighbours, in a fervent endeavour to dissipate the escalating tension. The volatile situation has sent shockwaves across the region, with a grievous tally of approximately 1,600 deaths incurred from both sides of the conflict.
Canadian losses loom amidst the international tragedy, Joly reports, with the death of one Canadian and three additional missing individuals. She expressed heartfelt sympathy towards those affected by the multifaceted terrorist attacks plaguing the Israeli populace.
Joly continued, informing of her direct contact with the impacted families, working to provide necessary aid. This came after Global Affairs Canada publicly acknowledged reports of the loss and disappearance of Canadian citizens.
Last Saturday, the conflict took a deadly turn as Hamas militants executed a surprise attack across various Israeli towns lying on the border with the Gaza Strip, as well as a music festival. In the aftermath of the assault, the casualty count skyrocketed with hundreds of lives extinguished.
Over the ensuing days, Israel responded by intensifying their bombardments of Gaza and enforcing a complete cut-off of essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel. Local sources and media outlets report a rising death toll of approximately 900 in Israel and over 680 in Gaza, with countless more injured. Further exacerbating the brewing crisis, Hamas and other militants have reportedly taken more than 130 Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage.
When questioned regarding the potential involvement of Iran, as suggested by Canada’s UN ambassador, Bob Rae, Joly remained reticent, focusing instead on her diplomatic efforts to prevent any exacerbation of the conflict within the region. Despite a clear desire for de-escalation, Joly admitted the task was far from simple, predicting a worsening of conditions before any tangible improvement.
In an unexpected move on Monday, Israel declared a “complete siege” of Gaza, further depriving the already beleaguered region of vital resources. The Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million residents comprising a significant juvenile demographic of 47 per cent as per UNICEF estimates, now finds itself at the jagged edge of survival.
Monday also saw strong words from the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared the Israeli retaliation had only just begun, promising robust action to deter enemy advances for generations to come.
Yet, in midst of the chaos and devastation, unity prevails. In a Monday gathering held in solidarity for Israel in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood firm against the violent eruptions, denouncing the terrorist activities of Hamas. He emphasized the need for civilian protection and insistence on upholding international law standards.
His sentiments were echoed by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson, the latter highlighting the plight of innocent civilians entrapped within the cycle of violence.
In the throes of this international crisis, Joly remains focused on supporting Canadians and working towards de-escalation through collaborative efforts with regional partners. She maintains open communication lines with ministerial counterparts across countries, including Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Authority.
As the world breathes a collective sigh of apprehension, Joly underscores the need for diplomacy to prevail amidst the storm. For now, the embassies in Tel Aviv and Ramallah remain open, offering support to Canadians stranded in the stricken region.
