Before the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East, Israel was considered one of the top recipients of weapons from Canada; exports of lethal weapons have been halted since Hamas’s major attack on Israel. Now Israel is no longer allowed to receive non-lethal military equipment – they responded to this move with sharp criticism.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced the decision on Tuesday (local time) in the Toronto Star newspaper. Government circles said the situation on the ground no longer made it possible to export weapons to Israel. Her counterpart in Israel responded angrily: this “undermines Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas terrorists.” History will judge Canada’s current actions harshly, Israel Katz explained on the online service X.
Meeting in Washington on planned offensive in Rafah
Amid tensions between Israel and the US over the Gaza war, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will travel to the US capital Washington next week, the Israeli government confirmed on Wednesday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had previously said that an Israeli delegation would visit Washington “at the request of US President Joe Biden” to discuss the planned Israeli offensive in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip – the US opposes this measure.
The US wants to present alternatives to the ground offensive
According to a media report, the US wants to show Israel alternatives to a ground offensive in Rafah. US President Biden’s administration is considering several options, the news portal ‘Axios’ reported on Tuesday, citing two US officials. One idea is to postpone a military operation in Rafah and focus on stabilizing the humanitarian situation in the north of the disputed coastal area. Such a plan also includes building shelters for civilians to be evacuated from Rafah, the report said. The aim is to reduce the risk of mass casualties in the event of an invasion of Rafah.
Another idea is to focus on securing the Egyptian side of the border in an initial phase, the report said. This would be part of a joint plan by the US, Egypt and Israel to destroy Islamist Hamas tunnels under the border and create infrastructure to prevent weapons from being smuggled into the Gaza Strip, Axios reported, citing US officials.
Offensive in Rafah is a military necessity for Israel
Israel repeatedly emphasizes that Hamas cannot be completely defeated without an offensive in Rafah. It is a military necessity to destroy the Islamic battalions that remain there.
The war in the Gaza Strip was sparked by Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, which killed about 1,160 people and kidnapped about 250 others as hostages in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli figures. Since then, Israel has taken massive military action in the Gaza Strip. More than 31,800 people have been killed so far, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza, which cannot be independently verified.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
