Ottawa– Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced on Wednesday that Canada has summoned the Israeli ambassador following an incident in which Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops fired warning shots near a diplomatic tour group in the West Bank that included Canadian personnel.
Anand confirmed that four members of Canada’s delegation—two Canadians and two local staff—were present when IDF soldiers fired shots in the vicinity of Jenin. She expressed relief that the Canadian team was unharmed and said she had spoken with Canada’s Head of Mission in Ramallah earlier in the day.
“I have asked my officials to summon Israel’s Ambassador to convey Canada’s serious concerns. We expect a full investigation and accountability,” Anand posted on social media.
The IDF stated that the delegation had deviated from its approved route, prompting soldiers to fire warning shots. No injuries were reported. In a statement, the IDF said it “regrets the inconvenience caused.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also addressed the incident during a news conference in Ottawa, calling it “totally unacceptable.” He said Canada expects a full and immediate explanation from the Israeli government, adding that the event is just one of many troubling developments in the region.
The federal government confirmed that the Canadian team was part of a larger international group touring the area when the shots were fired.
This diplomatic flare-up comes amid rising international pressure on Israel over its ongoing military operations in Gaza. Earlier this week, Carney joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in issuing a joint statement threatening targeted sanctions if Israel does not scale back its offensive and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized the joint statement, calling it “a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7,” referring to the 2023 Hamas-led assault that triggered the current conflict.
The Canadian opposition also weighed in. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney’s joint statement, suggesting it undermines Israel’s right to self-defense. “The Hamas terrorists have just thanked Mark Carney for his recent statement on Israel,” he wrote online. “Threatening Israel with sanctions while a terrorist group holds hostages and continues its attacks is wrong.”
Carney said he had informed U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance about the joint statement during a recent meeting in Rome. However, he declined to provide details on what specific measures Canada might take if Netanyahu’s government does not adjust its course.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The United Nations issued a dire warning this week, saying 14,000 babies are at risk of acute malnutrition if aid is not allowed to reach them. Although Israel began permitting more humanitarian trucks to enter Gaza on Wednesday, aid organizations report that access to distribution points remains blocked, preventing critical supplies from reaching those in need. (Source: IANS)
