Canada parrots UK response to Netanyahu's Gaza takeover plan
The remarks echo that of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who released a statement on the issue earlier in the day.
"We join others, many others, in viewing that this is wrong, that this action is not going to contribute to an improvement in the humanitarian situation on the ground. It is going to put the lives of the hostages at greater risk rather than lessening it," Carney said.
"We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire. We reiterate our call for Hamas to immediately return all of the hostages and and their remains. We reiterate that Hamas has no role going forward, and we'll continue to work with our allies to contribute what we can to achieving those outcomes," he added, not naming Palestinians at any point.
"We are working on multiple fronts to try to bring a level of stability to the region, then security, then peace to the region. And in terms of those fronts, yes, working with allies, working with the French, working with the British, working with partners in the Middle East," Carney said.
"What we see is the erosion of the possibility of a two-state solution because of facts on the ground".
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Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Egypt-Hamas tensions at all-time high over demand to disarm and leave Gaza
Egypt's support for calls to disarm Hamas has reignited tensions with the Palestinian movement and stalled ceasefire negotiations, Egyptian and Palestinian sources told Middle East Eye. The rift emerged after Cairo relayed messages to Hamas leaders in Doha in late April, demanding the group surrender its weapons and withdraw fighters from Gaza - a position Hamas firmly rejects. The push for disarmament reflects mounting pressure from the United States and key Arab states. On 29 July, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the Arab League in endorsing the New York Declaration on a two-state solution, which calls on Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. According to Egyptian sources, Cairo had initially resisted linking disarmament to ceasefire negotiations. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters However, under sustained pressure from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Egypt shifted its stance, aligning itself with regional efforts to initiate what has been described as a "surrender process". This position aligns with Israeli preconditions, backed by Washington, for ending the war on Gaza. Sources said Egypt had previously insisted that disarmament be part of a broader political settlement tied to ending the Israeli occupation. Cairo had rejected any proposals requiring Hamas to disarm prior to the establishment of a Palestinian state. 'Egypt's alignment with the American agenda is detrimental to both Egypt and Hamas' - Moataz Khalil, Former Egypt UN envoy This earlier stance was reiterated by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a visit to Washington in March, citing Israel's failure to defeat Hamas militarily. "It is unreasonable to ask mediators to achieve through politics what Israel could not achieve through months of military operations," Abdelatty said during his trip to Washington. Two diplomatic sources in Cairo said the policy shift was also driven by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the breakdown of diplomatic channels. Egyptian authorities are especially concerned by Israeli efforts to forcibly displace Gaza's population into northern Sinai. Reports of a large-scale tent camp being constructed in the Rafah area, near the Egyptian border, to house more than half a million displaced people, have drawn condemnation, with many describing it as a concentration camp. This, along with growing public anger in Egypt over what is perceived as government complicity and an inadequate response to the crisis, has further fuelled tensions. Egypt's credibility 'undermined' Moataz Ahmadein Khalil, Egypt's former ambassador to the United Nations, told Middle East Eye that Egypt's shift reflects Washington's view of Cairo's role as "primarily a lever to pressure Hamas into accepting American and Israeli demands". He explained that this perception stems from Egypt's acute economic crisis and its reliance on political backing from the US in securing support from international and regional donors, as well as direct financial aid from Washington. "Egypt's alignment with the American agenda is detrimental to both Egypt and Hamas," argued Khalil. "Accommodating Washington's demands would only encourage Trump to ask for more and would ultimately undermine Egypt's credibility as a mediator. "Furthermore, this approach fails to leverage the mediation role to serve Egypt's own national interests, independent of US or Israeli goals." Palestinians 'let down' The Egypt-Hamas tensions reached their peak in late July following a televised speech by Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader. The Doha-based leader made a direct appeal to the Egyptian people and their religious, military, community and intellectual leaders to help break the siege on Gaza. "Our Palestinian people feel let down," Hayya said. "Will your brothers in Gaza die of hunger while they are just across your border and within your reach?" he asked. He criticised the air-dropping of aid, describing it as a "tragic farce", and criticised the closure of the Egyptian-Palestinian Rafah border crossing. Exclusive: UK pushed Arab states to condemn Hamas in UN conference statement Read More » "We look to the great country of Egypt to say definitively that Gaza will not die of hunger, and that it will not allow the enemy to keep the Rafah crossing closed to the needs of Gaza." According to one Egyptian security source, Cairo responded to Hayya's speech with deep anger, viewing it as incitement against the government and an attempt to hold Egypt responsible for Gaza's starvation. Officials feared the speech could provoke popular unrest and threaten national stability. They also interpreted the call to forcibly open the Rafah crossing as a dangerous appeal to involve Cairo in the war against Israel and as a threat to Egypt's national security. Following the speech by Hayya, regarded by Egyptian officials as one of the Hamas leaders closest to Cairo, the Egyptian regime launched a fierce media campaign against Hamas. Numerous pro-government journalists and online platforms criticised the group. Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt's State Information Service, described Hayya's remarks as "extremely dangerous". MP Mostafa Bakry, known for his ties to Egypt's intelligence services, called on Hamas's leadership to issue a statement absolving Egypt of any role in the blockade and thanking it for the aid provided. A source from within the Palestinian movement told MEE: "Hayya's appeal was made in the spirit of goodwill, brotherhood and the deep sense of hope the people of Gaza hold towards the Egyptians, and not as incitement." The source added that, amid the severe deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and the complete political deadlock in negotiations, "the only door left to knock on is that of our brothers in Egypt". MEE contacted the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but did not receive a response by publication.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Hamas ready for 'comprehensive deal' to halt war in Gaza
Hamas on Saturday expressed willingness to reach an agreement with Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying it had offered "all possible flexibility" through the Egyptian and Qatari mediators. "We are ready for a comprehensive deal to release all Israeli prisoners, ensuring a ceasefire and the withdrawal of enemy forces," the Palestinian militant group said. Sources told The National earlier that the blueprint for a comprehensive deal was being discussed between Israel and the US on one hand and the US and mediators from Qatar and Egypt on the other. The Hamas announcement follows the Israeli cabinet's approval on Friday for a plan to expand military operations into Gaza city, displacing about one million people, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of plans to reoccupy Gaza. The Israeli move drew widespread condemnation, including from Israel's allies, and the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency session on Saturday to discuss the development. Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said many countries had called for the session. Hamas criticised Israel's plan as a plot to "ethnically cleanse" Palestinians from Gaza. On Saturday, a group of Arab and Muslim states, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, released a joint statement condemning Israel's plan as a "dangerous escalation". "We consider this announcement a dangerous and unacceptable escalation, a flagrant violation of international law, and an attempt to entrench the illegal occupation and impose a fait accompli/facts on the ground by force, in contravention of international legitimacy," they said. A deadline of October 7 was given for residents of Gaza city to leave, potentially leaving a window for an agreement to end the war. Netanyahu says Israel will take over all of Gaza - and wants 'Arab forces' to govern strip Families of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza have called the plan a "death sentence" for their loved ones. Israeli army chief of staff Eyal Zamir said the military would take measures to "safeguard" the captives' lives. "And as always, we will carry out the mission in the best possible way," Israeli outlet Ynet reported him as saying. Separately, the foreign ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the UK issued a joint statement warning that "the plans that the government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law". UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's office said Israel's decision to take control of Gaza city would lead to more 'forced displacement, killings, and massive destruction'. The death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, rose to 61,639 on Saturday, medical sources told the Palestinian news agency Wafa, after 38 more people were killed over a span of 24 hours. Eleven more people were died as a result of widespread starvation in Gaza resulting from Israel's blockade on aid for two months since mid-March, the sources said, bringing the total to 212, including 98 children.
Sharjah 24
3 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Arab-Islamic Committee rejects Israeli Gaza occupation plan
Additional participating countries include the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Republic of Chad, Republic of Djibouti, Republic of The Gambia, State of Kuwait, State of Libya, Malaysia, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Sultanate of Oman, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of the Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Republic of Yemen. The committee collectively expresses its strong condemnation and categorical rejection of Israel's announcement of its intention to impose full military control over the Gaza Strip. Declaration of Israeli plan called a dangerous escalation We consider this announcement a dangerous and unacceptable escalation, a flagrant violation of international law, and an attempt to entrench the illegal occupation and impose a fait accompli/ facts on the ground by force, in contravention of international legitimacy. Continued violations and humanitarian catastrophe We affirm that this declared course of action by Israel constitutes a continuation of its grave violations, including killing and starvation, attempts at forced displacement and annexation of Palestinian land, settler terrorism, which are crimes that may amount to crimes against humanity. Such actions obliterate any opportunity for peace, undermine regional and international efforts towards de-escalation and peaceful resolution of the conflict, and exacerbate the severe violations against the Palestinian people, who have faced for nearly two years a comprehensive aggression and blockade affecting all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip, alongside serious violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Key demands of the Ministerial Committee In light of this dangerous development, we assert the following: The immediate and comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, and an end to the ongoing violations committed by the occupying forces against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The demand that Israel, as the occupying power, immediately and unconditionally allow the entry of humanitarian assistance at scale into the Gaza Strip — including food, medicine, and fuel — and ensure the freedom of operation of relief agencies and international humanitarian organisations, in accordance with international humanitarian law and its applicable principles. Support for the efforts undertaken by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar, and the United States of America to achieve a ceasefire and reach an agreement for the exchange of prisoners and hostages, as a fundamental humanitarian entry point to de-escalation, alleviating suffering, and ending the aggression. The immediate commencement of the implementation of the Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan of the Gaza Strip, and the call for active participation in the upcoming reconstruction conference to be held in Cairo. Rejection and condemnation of all attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the affirmation of the need to preserve the legal and historical status quo in the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, while recognising the key role of the Hashemite Custodianship in this regard. The affirmation that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-State solution, ensuring the realization of an independent Palestinian State on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the principles of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Holding Israel accountable and urging global action We hold the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the ongoing genocide and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe taking place in the Gaza Strip, and calls upon the international community — particularly the permanent members of the Security Council — to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities and to take urgent action to stop Israel's illegal aggressive policies aimed at undermining prospects for a just and lasting peace, eliminating any horizon for the implementation of the two-State solution, and ensuring immediate accountability for all violations committed by Israel against international law and international humanitarian law, including those amounting to genocide. Emphasis on two-state solution and peace conference outcomes We also underscore the need to implement the outcomes of the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in New York co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic, including the urgent operational time-bound measures contained in its final outcome document to end the war in Gaza and the implementation of a political path to achieve the comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and the implementation of the two-State solution.
