The new foreign minister says that Israel uses the lack of food as a “political tool” in Gaza
On Wednesday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, accused Israel of using a lack of food as a political tool in his Gaza operation and urged other works on a cease-fire with Hamas, the militant group which controls the Palestinian enclave.
Israel has sealed the Gaza Strip since early March and resumed its military campaign against Hamas following the collapse of a cease-fire contract during which thousands of aid trucks entered the enclave.
The risk of mass and mass famine increases in Gaza, warns the World Health Organization. Palestinian health officials say dozens of children have died of malnutrition since March, the month Israel has blocked all assistance expeditions.
“We cannot allow the continuous use of food as a political tool … More than 50,000 people died due to the aggression caused against the Palestinians and the Gazan people in Palestine. The use of food as a political tool is simply unacceptable,” Anand for journalists told a cabinet meeting.
“We must continue to work towards a ceasefire. We must make sure that we have a two-state solution, and Canada will continue to maintain this position.”
Israel’s campaign has killed more than 52,900 Palestinians, according to local health officials. He left Gaza on the verge of famine, according to aid groups and international agencies.
Israel denies that there is a risk of famine and accuses Hamas of causing hunger by stealing aid for civilians.
Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Anand to his new position on Tuesday. She replaced Mélanie Joly, who had been in work for over three years.
Israel invaded Gaza in retaliation for the attack led by Hamas against the Israeli communities in the South on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli accounts.
