Extinguish the hell of Gaza | The press

These are images that bring tears to the eyes. Children so emaciated that it looks like their shoulder blades will unravel their skin, that their eyes will sink into the orbits of their emaciated little face.

In the human mousetrap of Gaza, the population literally hungry. And children are the first victims of acute malnutrition, testify to the World Health Organization¹ and the United Nations².

This humanitarian disaster is the result of blocking humanitarian aid by Israel which uses hunger as a weapon of war.

To ensure the security of its population, the Hebrew state had the right to respond to the vile terrorist acts of Hamas which killed 1200 of theirs and made 250 hostages on October 7, 2023. But its response exceeded the terminals.

It can be described as “war crime” and “crime against humanity”, supports a group of more than 150 teachers of international law, including around twenty Canadians, in a forum published by Libération³.

In a movement of planetary indignation, Canada is committed last week to recognize Palestine as a full-fledged state, under certain conditions, followed by step in France and the United Kingdom.

It is a courageous and necessary symbolic gesture.

But far from braking Israel, the statements of the three G7 countries seem to have encouraged Benyamin Netanyahu to sink even further in the war.

The Israeli Prime Minister now wants to take permanent control of the Gaza Strip, possibly entrusting the administration to an Arab country.

This uptake policy deserves to be firmly condemned.

First, the military offensive will make the situation even more catastrophic in Gaza, which has become a field of ruin with postapocalyptic looks where the bombings left more than 60,000 dead.

Second, the permanent occupation of Gaza is in flagrant contravention with international law. The International Court of Justice has already established that the occupation of the Palestinian territories for over 50 years is illegal. She considered that Israel should “immediately cease any new colonization activity, and evacuate all the colonists of the occupied Palestinian territory”. However, exactly the opposite happens.

Third, the new offensive that Benyamin Netanyahu is preparing is not necessary to ensure the security of Israel.

“Hamas no longer represents a strategic threat to Israel,” also wrote a group of 600 ex-security responsible in Israel, in a letter asking Donald Trump to end the war.

But for the moment, neither Trump nor Netanyahu seem to be back, even if public opinion is no longer on their side.

In Israel, thousands of demonstrators, including released hostages, have implored the government not to put its plan.

In the United States, the vast majority of the population (78 %) is in favor of an immediate ceasefire, according to a Yougov survey.

Even the Base Maga, so faithful to Donald Trump, is no longer shy to criticize Israel’s attacks, starting with the representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who spoke of “genocide”.

While the planet has its eyes on the horror of the conflict, the international community should take advantage of it to act.

Canada should move from speech to acts, if it does not want its statements to be just words in the air.

Ottawa could start by appointing a sherpa assigned to the resolution of the conflict in the Middle East. This representative would have the responsibility to consult the government’s gestures to carry out strategic action towards the de -escalation of the conflict.

As the recognition of Palestine by Canada is conditional to the election of elections in 2026 by the Palestinian authority, Ottawa should also ensure that the winning conditions will be in place for the progress of such a ballot which will arrive very quickly.

In recent decades, Canada has developed solid expertise to support states to democracy, especially in Latin America. Canada can therefore play a useful role in Palestine, with the support of regional actors.

Ottawa could also get involved in the organization of an international conference to reflect on a roadmap towards peace and to promote the renewal of non -radicalized Palestinian leadership.

In the short term, Canada must emphasize the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid in Gaza.

It is appalling to note that more than 1000 Gazaouis have died by trying to obtain food, since the establishment of a distribution mechanism controlled by Israel which has dismissed humanitarian organizations.

Aid must be provided by professionals, in an organized manner. Not under the eye of soldiers ready to shoot the hungry crowd. And she must come by land, not fall from the sky.

This week, Canada has released foodstuffs in Gaza. If the intention is good, the operation is dangerous because it can hurt people on the ground and cause a fight to obtain food. A distribution “at the height the pocket” means that the aid does not go to the most vulnerable – the pregnant mother, the young children.

All states have the obligation to enforce humanitarian law and especially not to make themselves accomplices of violation, by providing weapons or by doing business with companies which promote the illegal occupation of territories.

Canada has the legal and moral duty to act to end the hell of Gaza. You can’t be silent and watch elsewhere when children die of hunger.

1. Consult the WHO report on malnutrition in Gaza

2. Consult the United Nations Report on Malnutrition in Gaza

3. Read the open letter published in Liberation: “Violations of international law: more than 150 lawyers agree to name what is going on in Gaza”