Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday for condemning Israel's assault on Hamas.
At a press conference, Trudeau demanded Israel "stop" its military operations against Hamas in Gaza, suggesting the Israel Defense Forces are guilty of collective punishment against Palestinians.
"The human tragedy that is unfolding in Gaza is heart-wrenching, especially the suffering we see in and around Al-Shifa Hospital," Trudea said.
"I have been clear that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules. All innocent life is equal in worth, Israeli and Palestinian. I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint," he continued. "The world is watching on TV, on social media; we're hearing the testimonies of doctors, family members, survivors, kids who’ve lost their parents. The world is witnessing this— the killing of women, children, of babies. This has to stop."
Netanyahu publicly responded to Trudeau's statement by reminding the world of the truth and why Trudeau's criticisms should be directed at Hamas — not Israel.
"It is not Israel that is deliberately targeting civilians but Hamas that beheaded, burned and massacred civilians in the worst horrors perpetrated on Jews since the Holocaust," Netanyahu said.
"While Israel is doing everything to keep civilians out of harm's way, Hamas is doing everything to keep them in harm's way," he explained. "Israel provides civilians in Gaza humanitarian corridors and safe zones, Hamas prevents them from leaving at gunpoint.
"It is Hamas not Israel that should be held accountable for committing a double war crime — targeting civilians while hiding behind civilians. The forces of civilization must back Israel in defeating Hamas barbarism," Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, top U.S. officials have confirmed that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure — like hospitals — for military purposes. Under the laws of war, hospitals are protected and immune from attack. However, protected civilian infrastructure loses that immunity once it is used for military purposes.
Since taking control of Al-Shifa Hospital, the IDF has shown proof that Hamas used it as a military base.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!