Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Nov, 2023 11:03 AM
  • Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is still rejecting demands for Canada to call for a full ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but he says a deal to temporarily halt hostilities this week so Hamas can release hostages represents progress.

Trudeau says the world needs a lasting peace in the region, including a two-state solution.

He made the comments today at a news conference in St. John's, saying that that will require many steps, but that the humanitarian pause that started today is progress.

The militant group has so far freed 24 people, including 13 Israeli women and children, 10 people from Thailand and one person from the Philippines.

They were captured during the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel that killed an estimated 1,200 people, and federal officials confirmed this week that one Canadian woman is still missing. 

The pause in fighting is a respite for some 1.7 million people the United Nations says have been displaced amid Israel's retaliation campaign in the Gaza Strip, where local health authorities say 13,300 Palestinians have been killed and another 6,000 people are missing.

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Hydro asks for 2.3% rate increase to start spring 2024

BC Hydro asks for 2.3% rate increase to start spring 2024
The British Columbia government says the province's Crown power utility is applying for a 2.3-per-cent rate increase starting in April, adding about $2 a month to the average residential bill.  A statement from the Energy Ministry says it's the sixth year in a row that BC Hydro has applied for an increase below the rate of inflation.

BC Hydro asks for 2.3% rate increase to start spring 2024

Climate change: Droughts, heavy rain turn Canada's pumpkin harvest spooky

Climate change: Droughts, heavy rain turn Canada's pumpkin harvest spooky
Severe weather across Canada caused by climate change has wreaked havoc with the pumpkin harvest this year. Nova Scotia pumpkin farmer Danny Dill says the spring planting season was arid because of wildfires, then heavy rains in the summer flooded his fields.

Climate change: Droughts, heavy rain turn Canada's pumpkin harvest spooky

Canada expands drug strategy to prevent more overdoses, provide additional services

Canada expands drug strategy to prevent more overdoses, provide additional services
The federal government is expanding its drug and substance use strategy to try to save more lives and provide more services to people disproportionately affected by Canada's overdose crisis. Health Canada says the drug landscape has changed with an increasingly toxic supply since the strategy was first developed in 2016. 

Canada expands drug strategy to prevent more overdoses, provide additional services

B.C. coalition seeks 'critical' crackdown on violent retail crime

B.C. coalition seeks 'critical' crackdown on violent retail crime
A group of more than 30 British Columbia retailers, trade associations and other organizations is calling for a co-ordinated government response for repeat offenders they say are behind a wave of theft, vandalism and violent crime. The Save Our Streets coalition says the need for immediate action is "critical" to meet threats to staff safety, rising security costs and the community impact.

B.C. coalition seeks 'critical' crackdown on violent retail crime

Health professionals, not police should care for intoxicated prisoners: B.C. watchdog

Health professionals, not police should care for intoxicated prisoners: B.C. watchdog
The head of British Columbia's police watchdog says caring for intoxicated prisoners is a health-care issue and shouldn't be a police responsibility.  A report released by Ronald J. MacDonald, the chief civilian director of the Independent Investigations Office, says holding those who are intoxicated in jail cells is outdated and offers no guarantee of their safety and health.

Health professionals, not police should care for intoxicated prisoners: B.C. watchdog

B.C. non-profits to receive $60 million from government to help with their work: Eby

B.C. non-profits to receive $60 million from government to help with their work: Eby
Certain non-profit organizations in British Columbia are getting $60 million from the government in grant funding to help them do their work. Premier David Eby says the help of non-profits is crucial and they benefit the people of B.C. with community supports, arts and cultural services and assistance to find affordable housing.

B.C. non-profits to receive $60 million from government to help with their work: Eby