Ottawa — Canada has sharply condemned the latest Israeli military strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, describing the attack that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, as “horrifying” and “unacceptable.” The unusually blunt language signals Ottawa’s growing discontent with Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and its disregard for civilian protection under international law.
The Canadian foreign ministry stated on Monday, stressing that Israel bears a clear obligation to safeguard civilians and medical facilities in the Gaza war zone. “Hospitals must never be targets of war,” the ministry said, adding that the indiscriminate use of force undermines humanitarian law and erodes any remaining trust in Israel’s claims of self-defense.
Among those killed were members of the international press and local rescue workers who rushed to assist survivors. Their deaths further inflamed anger across the world, highlighting what human rights groups describe as a systematic assault not only on Gaza’s medical infrastructure but also on the very act of bearing witness to the devastation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, already facing mounting global pressure, dismissed the strike as a “tragic mishap,” a characterization that drew outrage from rights advocates and foreign governments alike. Critics argue that the Israeli leadership is employing cynical language to mask a deliberate pattern of targeting institutions essential to civilian survival and information flow.
For Canada, the incident marks another escalation in its shifting posture toward Israel. Ottawa, once a steadfast supporter of Israel, has in recent months halted arms exports to the country and sanctioned extremist settlers. Public opinion within Canada has also hardened: polls show that nearly half of Canadians now believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, while only a small minority disagrees.
The condemnation follows similar statements from European and Latin American governments, who have grown increasingly alarmed at Israel’s relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure. Analysts say Canada’s move reflects both domestic political pressure and a recognition that remaining silent risks complicity in crimes against humanity.
According to Reuters, the Canadian foreign ministry’s statement underscored that Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law are non-negotiable, warning that further violations could draw more direct consequences from Ottawa.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund recently banned five Israeli banks from its investment portfolio, citing their complicity in supporting Israel’s ongoing Gaza Genocide. The targeted institutions, Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim, Israel Discount Bank, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, and First International Bank of Israel, have been directly linked to financing illegal settlements and sustaining Israel’s military infrastructure. By blacklisting these banks, Norway sent a clear message that global finance cannot continue underwriting Israel’s crimes against humanity without accountability.
