Canadian PM Mark Carney Criticizes Israeli Blockade and Calls for WF Access Gaza

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Criticizes Israeli Blockade and Calls for WFP Access in Gaza:
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called on Israel to permit the World Food Programme (WFP) to operate in Gaza, emphasizing that food should not be weaponized for political purposes.

His remarks came shortly after the UN agency announced it was out of supplies due to a prolonged Israeli blockade. On Friday, the WFP stated that it had exhausted its remaining food stocks, which were used in kitchens providing hot meals throughout Gaza, and warned that these facilities would soon face food shortages. "The UN World Food Programme just reported that its food supplies in Gaza have been depleted due to the Israeli government's blockade—food should not be a political tool," Carney expressed on X.
The WFP indicated that no humanitarian or commercial goods had entered Gaza for over seven weeks, marking the longest closure the region has ever experienced. "Palestinian civilians shouldn't suffer due to Hamas' terrorist actions," Carney added. "The World Food Programme must be allowed to resume its critical operations." Israel has previously contested claims of a hunger crisis in Gaza, accusing Hamas of misusing aid, a claim Hamas refutes.
The Israeli military maintains that it must restrict supplies to prevent the fighters from accessing them. The media office for Gaza's government stated on Friday that famine is becoming a reality for the 2.3 million residents of the enclave. Since a ceasefire collapsed on March 18, Israeli strikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 1,900 Palestinians, many of whom were civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Additionally, hundreds of thousands have faced displacement due to Israel's establishment of what it refers to as a buffer zone. A Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, with 251 hostages taken to Gaza. Since that incident, more than 51,300 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing Israeli offensive, according to health officials. "We will persist in collaborating with our allies to achieve a permanent ceasefire and ensure the immediate return of all hostages," Carney stated. U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to permit food and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip.

Canadians will be casting their votes for a new government on Monday, with polls indicating that Carney's Liberals hold a narrow lead over the Conservatives. In related news, Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced an additional $10 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. "This funding will help meet the urgent needs of those in Gaza, including food, shelter, and medical assistance," Champagne stated. Josep Borrell, the European Union's Foreign Policy Chief, also voiced concerns regarding the grim humanitarian conditions in Gaza, urging Israel to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian organizations to operate without restrictions.
"The EU is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calls on all parties to act immediately to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people," Borrell remarked. As international pressure mounts on Israel to lift the blockade, the residents of Gaza are in urgent need of aid. The World Food Programme has cautioned that the situation could worsen if a resolution is not reached promptly. In the meantime, Carney's Liberal party hopes that their position on the Gaza crisis will resonate with Canadian voters ahead of Monday's election. Report by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa.
Edited by Olatunbosun Ibrahim

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