Canada declares that it disagrees with US policy and supports a ceasefire in Gaza

Canada declared on Tuesday that it will support a non-binding UN resolution that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, seemingly reversing earlier policy declarations.

Together with the leaders of Australia and New Zealand, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement earlier on Tuesday expressing their desire to see a pause restored and to "support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire."

Canada has never officially called for a ceasefire, but it has supported humanitarian pauses in the past.

Speaking on Tuesday, Trudeau referred to the statement as “comprehensive” and said he discussed Canada’s stance on joining the global call for a humanitarian ceasefire with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The rationale behind the shift was emphasized by Canada's foreign minister, who told reporters on Tuesday that his country still disapproves of the "horrific" violence committed by Hamas.

“From the very beginning we have said that Israel has the right to defend itself and how Israel defend itself matters,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, adding that “we must recognize that what is unfolding before our eyes will only enhance the cycle of violence, this will not lead to the durable defeat of Hamas.”