Hamas ‘has to be eliminated as a threat,’ Defence Minister says

Hello,

Canada’s Defence Minister is calling for the elimination of Hamas and doubts the organization would respect any call for a ceasefire.

Bill Blair was speaking today to journalists ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting in Ottawa, responding to questions about the possibility of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that has claimed the lives of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians.

“Quite frankly, Hamas has to be eliminated as a threat, not just to Israel but to the world,” Blair said. “They are a terrorist organization.”

Asked about Blair’s comments, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not quite go as far as his Defence Minister.

Arriving for Question Period, Trudeau said Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization that has committed “unspeakable atrocities” and that Canada’s priority needs to be the continued protection of innocent civilians, the liberation of hostages taken by Hamas, and facilitating a humanitarian corridor to get aid in and civilians and foreign nationals out of Gaza.

Hamas, an Islamist militant group, launched a series of attacks on Israeli civilian and military targets on Oct. 7. In response, Israel has been bombing targets in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion against Hamas militants.

On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly called for a de-escalation of violence in the crisis but would not be pinned down on whether Canada would push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants.

Trudeau has been under pressure to promote an immediate ceasefire, with more than 30 MPs, including 23 Liberal MPs, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh having written letters to the Prime Minister on the issue.

But Blair told journalists, “I have no expectation that a terrorist organization would respect international law or any call for ceasefire.”

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