National

Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Oct, 2023 09:51 AM

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated."

Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire.

His comments are the furthest any Canadian minister has gone in explaining why Canada does not support calls for a ceasefire.

The defence minister also appeared unwilling to back more recent calls for a "humanitarian pause," but says there are talks underway to get more aid into the Gaza Strip.

Since October 12, the @CanadianForces transported approximately 1,600 people out of Israel on 19 flights.

Canada continues to monitor the situation, and we are working tirelessly to help Canadians.

If you need urgent consular assistance, please contact sos@international.gc.ca
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) October 23, 2023

More than one million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and they face shortages of food, water and fuel.

European foreign ministers agreed Monday that a temporary halt to fighting was needed to get aid into Gaza and French President Emmanuel Macron is in Israel pushing for such a pause today.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Child luring suspect on loose

Summerland R-C-M-P say a 10-year-old girl reported on Sept. 20 that a Caucasian male about 40 years of age approached the girl in his red truck while she was walking along Kelly Avenue on her way to Giants Head Elementary. Police say the man asked the girl if she wanted a ride to school, prompting the girl to run away in the opposite direction.

Child luring suspect on loose

Fatal shooting in Richmond

Police say one person is dead after a shooting in Richmond over the weekend. Richmond R-C-M-P say officers were called to the area of Cooney and Anderson roads on Sunday just before 5 a-m to investigate reports of shots being fired.

Fatal shooting in Richmond

Environment Canada warns B.C. coast to prepare for heavy winds, some rain

Rain and a wind storm are expected for much of British Columbia's coast, bringing gusts as strong as 110 kilometres per hour. Environment Canada warnings cover both northern and eastern Vancouver Island, as well as Victoria, portions of the Sunshine Coast and Haida Gwaii.

Environment Canada warns B.C. coast to prepare for heavy winds, some rain

Funding for Firefighters: BC Gov

British Columbia is providing more money to rural, First Nations and volunteer fire departments across the province to help upgrade equipment and training. The announcement includes 1.75-million-dollars for the Fire Chiefs' Association of B-C to provide fire training for rural and First Nations fire departments.

Funding for Firefighters: BC Gov

'Damaged' India-Canada relations getting traction in Chinese media

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had told his country’s lawmakers on Monday that Canada is probing “credible allegations” of Indian government's involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. The Indian government has strongly denied the allegations, calling them "absurd".

'Damaged' India-Canada relations getting traction in Chinese media

Diplomatic fallout: Number of Indian students going to Canada may drop

Given the current situation between India and Canada, there may be a drop in the number of Indian students going to Canada for higher studies, said a consultant with Star Global Education Alliance. According to Veeravalli, there is a general sense of uneasiness in Canada among the students who are expecting some kind of retaliation by the Canadians.