OTTAWA 鈥� Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed news of a ceasefire deal to pause the "gruelling" 15-month war in the Gaza Strip, hoping it would ease tensions in Canada.
"It means we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, to hopefully put an end to this horrific war that has taken the lives of far too many innocents," Trudeau told reporters Wednesday.
He said the announcement gave him "hope that here in Canada, we can turn down the temperature, truly listen to one another, and ultimately rebuild the relationships between various communities which have been deeply damaged."
Hate crimes targeting Jews and Muslims have risen across Canada since the war started, as have large protests and encampments, some of which have included praise for the Hamas attack.
Qatar said the ceasefire deal will start Jan. 19, which would see Hamas release dozens of hostages in phases, in return for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners while allowing more aid into Gaza.
Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group staged what Trudeau called an "abhorrent, unconscionable attack" in October 2023 and kidnapped scores of hostages.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent bombardment, while Israel says 1,200 people were killed in Hamas' initial attack. Both numbers include combatants.
Trudeau said he hopes the news brings solace and relief to Canadians with ties to the Middle East, and he noted it could lead Hamas to return the body of a Canadian, Judih Weinstein Haggai, to her family.
Initially believed to be a living hostage of Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack, her family confirmed in December 2023 that she had been killed.
The prime minister says Canada will do whatever it can to ensure the ceasefire is a success and he hopes it builds momentum for a two-state solution.
Canada has for decades called for the creation of a Palestinian state that exists in peace alongside Israel, but has yet to follow peers like Norway and Ireland in recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Trudeau noted Canada has called for a ceasefire for more than a year, though Ottawa initially was against such a move and sought a "humanitarian pause" to the fighting.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2025.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
