Canada's toolkit for peace in Gaza
The Israeli government has blocked the entry of nearly all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March of 2025. MCC is working with local partners to navigate restrictions to support people in need in Gaza. Partners are purchasing and distributing items locally when possible and working to prepare shipments for when Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, essential supplies like food and medicine are virtually exhausted. We hear from partners about the incredible challenges they face in their work as the blockade continues.
The United Nations and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) have declared famine in Gaza. The Israeli military continues its devastating land and air strikes in Gaza, targeting homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship. The military has already displaced over 95% of the population and the government of Israel reports that it has plans to forcibly remove the entirety of the population from northern Gaza.
Based on the work of our partners, MCC is joining with hundreds of other humanitarian organizations in raising the alarm at the immense level of human-caused suffering and to demand action from our governments.
As we witness this terrible devastation and mourn the loss of life, we echo the words of the prophet Isaiah with the belief that peace is possible: “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4).
Canada has the tools to help support this vision of peace and human flourishing. We call on our government to act boldly and take decisive action towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, ensuring that international humanitarian law is upheld and working for long-term peace and justice.
Some significant tools that Canada can continue to use are:
Use diplomacy. Canada should use our diplomatic power to pressure all parties for a permanent ceasefire, release of hostages and complete military withdrawal from Gaza. This includes pressuring Israel to abide by its obligations under the Genocide Convention.
Push for access to humanitarian aid. Canada should continue to press Israel to lift the blockade and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to protect the role of humanitarian agencies to safely and fairly deliver aid.
Uphold our commitment to accountability and international law. Canada should continue to respect the decisions made by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Canada should hold Israel and all armed actors accountable for violations of these laws, such as the use of starvation as a method of war and the taking of hostages. We must also ensure that our own actions and policies abide by international law. This includes Canada’s obligations under the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide and to hold accountable through legal means those who are found guilty of committing genocide.
Ensure that no Canadian weapons or weapons parts are being used in ways that violate international law. Canada should make sure that we are not contributing to this conflict by allowing either direct or indirect weapons exports to any armed actors, including state actors like Israel.
Work toward a long-term and sustainable solution for peace in Palestine and Israel. Canada should clearly support an end to the illegal Israeli military occupation and illegal settlements, and the establishment of conditions that will allow for peace, justice and human flourishing for all people. We encourage continued support for local peacebuilders, like MCC partners – both Palestinian and Israeli – who play a vital role in this current moment.