Carney condemns Israel's plan to take over Gaza City

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday joined U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other world leaders in criticizing Israel's plan to take over Gaza City.

"We join many others in viewing that this is wrong," Carney told reporters at a news conference in Trenton, Ont., on Friday.

Israel's security cabinet approved a plan earlier Friday to take control of the enclave's largest city, expanding military operations in the shattered Palestinian territory. The move has drawn intense criticism at home and abroad over its pursuit of the almost two-year-old war.

"This action will not contribute to an improvement in the humanitarian situation on the ground. It is going to put the lives of the hostages at greater risk rather than lessening it."

He repeated Canada's call for an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to return all of the hostages and their remains.

"We reiterate that Hamas has no role going forward, and we will continue to work with our allies to contribute what we can to achieving those outcomes," Carney said.

Carney has said Canada intends to recognize the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next month, and that Hamas must have no role in governance.