Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s support for Israel to defend itself in accordance with international law, and his concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza while speaking to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
In a post on X, Trudeau said the pair “spoke about hostages held by Hamas, and the need for their immediate release,” as well as voicing his support “for the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security”.
Speaking on Thursday, Trudeau had said he was not ready to accept the US finding that Palestinian militants were behind a deadly blast at the crowded Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City.
But on Saturday, Canada’s National Department of Defence said Israel was not behind the blast.
In a statement the defence department said analysis carried out by the country’s intelligence command indicated a “high degree of confidence that Israel didn’t strike the Al-Ahli hospital on 17 October”.
Hamas blamed Israel for the attack, while Israel blamed Hamas.
