‘Absolutely Unacceptable’: Trudeau Decries Hospital Bombing in Gaza

Smoke rises from buildings, viewed from the Israeli side of the border, as the Israeli military conducts a bombardment in northern Gaza on Oct. 15, 2023. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the explosion at a hospital in Gaza, which Palestinian groups claim hundreds of Palestinians were killed.

“The news coming out of Gaza is horrific and absolutely unacceptable,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa on Oct. 17.

“International humanitarian and international law needs to be respected in this and in all cases. There are rules around wars and it’s not acceptable.”

The Health Ministry in Gaza said an Israeli air strike on al-Ahli Arab Hospital was responsible, according to Qatari state-owned outlet Aljazeera. The ministry reportedly said over 500 Palestinians were killed, and hundreds of victims were trapped under the rubble.

Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, has described the attack as a “war crime,” reported Aljazeera.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), however, have blamed another terrorist organization for the bombing.

“Following an analysis by the IDF’s operational systems, a barrage of rockets was launched toward Israel, which passed in the vicinity of the hospital, when it was hit,” the IDF wrote on the X platform.

“According to intelligence information from a number of sources we have, Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital.”

The Epoch Times is not able to independently verify the claims.

Israel has been striking targets in Gaza since after the Oct. 7 multi-pronged Hamas attack, in which Hamas terrorists entered Israeli villages and killed hundreds of civilians.

The Canadian government has condemned Hamas for the attack and said Israel has the right to defend itself. It has also pushed for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor toward Gaza, which Israel put under a full blockade.

“I’ve said it many times, Gaza is one of the worst places to live on Earth right now,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters on Oct. 17. “And so that’s why we’re really working extremely hard to make sure that there is a humanitarian corridor towards Gaza.”

Ms. Joly said she was in contact with top officials of neighboring countries, G7 countries’ counterparts, and the U.S. State Department about the issue.

“We are working 24/7 on this. Our goal is to make sure that we can help de-escalate the situation and this is my utmost priority.”

Global Affairs Canada said on Oct. 16 it is aware of five Canadians killed in the Hamas attack, while three others are reported missing. Those could be among the about 200 hostages taken by the group, which Canada considers a terrorist organization.

The bombing of the hospital in Gaza took place on the eve of a visit to Israel by U.S. President Joe Biden, to show his support for retaliation efforts against Hamas. Mr. Biden will also travel to Jordan where he will meet with regional leaders.