by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The government of Canada has condemned Israel following the official declaration by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) last week that a famine is underway in Gaza. According to the IPC, famine is “raging” in parts of Gaza and is likely to spread.

Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, said that the federal government is “deeply alarmed by the terrible deterioration of conditions in Gaza” and that Israel is “failing” to meet its obligations under international law. Israel has allowed some aid into the region in recent weeks due to international pressure, but aid groups say this falls far short of what is needed.

Opposition Conservative MPs maintain that Hamas is to blame for the situation. According to an Angus Reid study, Conservatives Party supporters are least likely to see the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a “moral outrage” (36%) compared with supporters of the Liberals (86%), NDP (90%) and Bloc (81%).

“Civilians — men, women and children — are dying because sufficient humanitarian assistance is not being allowed into Gaza. The ongoing conflict and the Israeli government’s military actions have made famine a devastating reality for Palestinians in Gaza, and the crisis continues to grow. Israel, as the occupying power, is failing to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law.

“Canada continues to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Hamas must release all hostages without delay and lay down their arms. This war must end now.”