Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Senator Gold, the ground invasion by the Israeli forces in northern Gaza started on Friday, in response to the horrible attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. Thousands of Gazan children and adults have lost their lives. No one is sure exactly how many.

The United States is starting to speak up with their Israeli allies, focusing on the need to protect civilians. Canada has remained more passive and is not calling for a ceasefire. What will it take to get to that point?

In the meantime, are some Canadian experts right to believe that Canada is giving Israel carte blanche?

Senator Miville-Dechêne: I would like to come back to the question of hospitals in northern Gaza. I find the whole issue disturbing.

Israeli forces are demanding that they be evacuated. However, staff are refusing because it would mean certain death for many patients who need ventilators. Are the principles of international humanitarian law not at stake? Does Canada have an opinion on this situation, which is quite simply unacceptable?

Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Honourable senators, Senator Gold, for the past three days, five UN agencies and 12 humanitarian organizations in Canada, along with Jewish voices, have been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. France, Ireland and Belgium are also calling for a truce.

Canada doesn’t wield much power internationally. Nevertheless, we’ve always been able to amplify our influence by demonstrating our integrity and our adherence to the principles of international law in both word and deed.

Senator Gold, nobody here is disputing the horror of the October 7 attacks, Israel’s right to defend itself or actions necessary to recover more than 200 hostages. That said, I’m concerned that our silence on the subject of a humanitarian truce is eroding our moral authority.

When will the Canadian government demand a humanitarian truce as a tentative step toward a ceasefire in Gaza?