The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement:
"Canada condemns the strikes conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces in Qatar, which violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Middle East faces serious challenges, and sustainable peace and security must be prioritized over any actions that could lead to a broader conflict in the region.
"Qatar's sovereignty must be respected, and international law must be upheld.
"Let there be no doubt: Hamas is a terrorist organization. It must immediately release all hostages and disarm. Defeating Hamas and achieving peace require respect for international law, sovereignty, and the protection of civilians.
"Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, continues to serve a vital mediating role in efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and scaled-up flows of life-saving assistance for Palestinian civilians. Canada fully supports Qatar's leadership in these efforts. Today's attacks undermine critical negotiations; Canada calls for a return to negotiations to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza."
