Canada Criticizes Israel’s Military Actions in Lebanon

A high-ranking Canadian official has condemned Israel’s ‘unlawful invasion’ of Lebanon, stating that the country should be allowed to govern its own territory and have sovereignty over its lands.

Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, made this statement during a visit to Lebanon, where he announced new humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit country. The latest conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has left over 360,000 people displaced, according to the United Nations.

Humanitarian Aid and Support for Lebanon

Canada has been actively working through diplomatic channels to stop the conflict and allow Lebanese communities to return to their homes. The country has listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and has condemned its attacks on Israel.

During his visit, Sarai announced that Canada is launching three new programs in Lebanon to support vulnerable families and women. This brings the total assistance provided by Canada to Lebanon so far this year to over 71 million Canadian dollars ($50.23 million).

Canada has given Lebanon about 800 million Canadian dollars ($575 million) in assistance over the past 10 years, including nearly $38 million in funding in March to provide basic necessities such as food, medical, and health services. The Canadian government has stated that its commitment to Lebanon is long-term and that it will continue to support the country.

Canada’s Efforts to Create a Safe Environment in Syria

Sarai also met with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who have promised to reinstate state authority over all parts of Lebanon and implement reforms to fight corruption. The country is still struggling with an economic crisis that began in late 2019, rooted in decades of corruption.

Canada is trying to help create a safe environment in Syria, with access to food, drinking water, and schools, so that more refugees can return. At one point during Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war, Lebanon hosted an estimated 1.5 million refugees. Some half-million Syrians have returned since former Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted in December 2024, according to Lebanon’s social affairs minister.

Canada’s Commitment to Lebanon

Sarai stated that Canada is committed to helping Lebanon deliver on its pledged reforms and that the world is watching and supportive of this government. He also emphasized that Canada will continue to support Lebanon’s efforts to create a safe environment for refugees to return.

The Canadian government has been actively working to stop the conflict and allow Lebanese communities to return to their homes. The country has listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and has condemned its attacks on Israel.

Canada’s Assistance to Lebanon

Canada has given Lebanon about 800 million Canadian dollars ($575 million) in assistance over the past 10 years. This includes nearly $38 million in funding in March to provide basic necessities such as food, medical, and health services. The Canadian government has stated that its commitment to Lebanon is long-term and that it will continue to support the country.

The three new programs announced by Sarai will support vulnerable families and women in Lebanon. This brings the total assistance provided by Canada to Lebanon so far this year to over 71 million Canadian dollars ($50.23 million).

Canada has been actively working through diplomatic channels to stop the conflict and allow Lebanese communities to return to their homes. The country has listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and has condemned its attacks on Israel.