Nearly 200 Former Canadian Diplomats Urge Sanctions on Israel

Nearly 200 former Canadian diplomats have called on the government to impose robust sanctions on Israel, citing deteriorating conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon. The Canadian Press reported that the ex-diplomats sent a letter to media outlets stating that without robust international sanctions the Israeli government will persist in disregarding international law and human rights and will press forward with its plans to expand settlements.

The letter was signed by 190 former diplomats who held high-ranking positions. "While Canada recognizes Israel’s legitimate security concerns regarding Hezbollah, the razing of entire towns and the high civilian death toll is a serious violation of international law," the letter said, referring to the situation in Lebanon.

At least seven people were killed and dozens wounded during an Israeli bombardment of a residential building and a civilian vehicle west of Gaza City, according to a source in the ambulance service who spoke anonymously. Among the dead were three Palestinian women and a child.

Medics reported at least three Palestinians killed and more than 30 wounded in Israeli air strikes on a residential apartment and a civilian car in the same area. Israel said it targeted Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the highest-ranking military commander for Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

It is not immediately clear if the strikes are related.

Ceasefire Extension Agreed The U.S.

State Department announced that the Israel-Lebanon cessation of hostilities, which began on April 16, will be extended by 45 days. A spokesperson said the extension was agreed after two days of highly-productive U.S.-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon.

The spokesperson added that the department will reconvene political track negotiations on June 2 and 3, while a security track will be launched at the Pentagon on May 29 with Israeli and Lebanese military delegations. The spokesperson expressed hope that these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border.

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that they assassinated Izz al-Din al-Haddad, commander of Hamas’ armed wing in the Gaza Strip. The statement, published by Israeli media, added that al-Haddad was one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and that he refused to implement an agreement to disarm Hamas.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas. The letter from the former Canadian diplomats also referenced repeated Israeli attacks on medical facilities in Lebanon since March, stating that this constitutes a clear and repeated violation of the Geneva Conventions.

A church body condemned Israeli incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacks on Christians in occupied East Jerusalem, citing provocations by authorities and settlers as well as vandalism and assaults in the Christian Quarter.