OTTAWA — The Carney government endorsed a UN-backed finding that famine is occurring in the Gaza Strip, and is urging Israel to stop ramping up its campaign in the Palestinian territory.
The global standard for measuring hunger is the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which on Friday said that famine is occurring in parts of Gaza and "rapidly spreading" to other areas.
The finding is based on metrics of extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths.
"As this famine is entirely man-made, it can be halted and reversed," reads the analysis. "The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading."
Israel rejected these claims and noted it has allowed an uptick in aid trucks reaching the territory after massive global pressure, which aid groups say is still insufficient.
Canada's Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai wrote Friday that Ottawa is "deeply alarmed by the horrific deteriorating conditions in Gaza" and calling for an immediate ceasefire in order to deliver mass amounts of food.
"Israel, as the occupying power, is failing to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law by refusing to allow and facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid and by failing to ensure provision of adequate food and medical supplies to the civilian population in Gaza," he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand wrote in an Aug. 12 social-media posting that "famine is unfolding" in Gaza, 10 days before the IPC finding.
Israel has argued that the IPC manipulated its data collection and is relying on figures from groups related to Hamas, while the panel says it is using standard data practices based on what can be accessed inside Gaza.
On the platform X, Israeli ambassador Iddo Moed replied to Sarai with statistics assembled by the Israeli military, showing more than 10,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since May.
"Facts do matter, but not to everyone apparently," wrote Moed.
In March, Israel blocked nearly all food from entering the territory for 12 weeks, before setting up an aid-distribution sites where hundreds were shot dead trying to access food.
Since then, Israel's own statistics show an increase in the number of trucks each month, growing from an average of 61 per day in June, to 98 per day in July, and 186 per day in August.
The UN and aid groups say at least 500 to 600 trucks per day are needed to feed the population in Gaza.
Israel has repeatedly claimed that Hamas was stealing large amounts of aid when it arrived through the UN system that reached multiple points within Gaza, though aid groups say there is no evidence that this was a widespread problem.
Israel also heavily restricts people in Gaza from fishing in the Mediterranean Sea, saying groups like Hamas can use boats to attack Israel.
The Conservatives have not directly responded to the finding of famine, but its MPs have repeatedly said that Hamas is to blame for the plight of Palestinians.
"Hamas is responsible for all the misery, murder, and chaos, and for every innocent life lost," wrote Conservative MP Shuv Majumdar in an Aug. 13 social-media post, where he referred to Anand as "the Foreign Minister for Gazada."
On Monday, Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza City twice, with the second strike killing journalists and medical workers as they responded to the initial strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a "tragic mishap."
Global Affairs Canada was part of the international condemnation Monday.
"Canada is horrified by the Israeli military strike at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed 5 journalists and many civilians, including rescuers and health officials. Such attacks are unacceptable," the department wrote. "Israel has the obligation to protect civilians, including journalists and health care workers, operating in Gaza."
Netanyahu has ordered his military to seize Gaza City, arguing Hamas is operating out of the territory's most populated area, where many displaced Palestinians have settled in tents.
Sarai's Friday statement urged Israel to restrain itself.
"An intensified military offensive in Gaza City would further exacerbate the devastating impacts on civilians where famine conditions already exist," he wrote. "For many, especially the most vulnerable, access to life-saving assistance would become unattainable."
Save the Children's Canadian head Danny Glenwright said his organization warned for months that children in Gaza would experience famine, with stunted growth that will have impacts for a generation.
"This engineered famine is the ultimate and inevitable result of the Government of Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war," he said in a statement. "The sustained siege on food, medicine and fuel was bound to lead to this preventable catastrophe."
Humanity and Inclusion's Canadian director Anne Delorme said the famine "is the entirely predictable result of Israel's blockade" that must be lifted.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2025.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
