Canada's foreign affairs minister arrives in Israel amid Hamas conflict

CTV National News: Escape from Gaza Judy Trinh has more on a Canadian-Palestinian couple's journey to get the rest of their family out of war-torn Gaza.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has arrived in Tel Aviv as fighting between Israel and Hamas continues following the group's surprise attack from the Gaza Strip.

Joly's office confirmed to CTV News that she had arrived in the country on Friday. She will take part in a three-day trip that will also see her go to Jordan.

A statement from Global Affairs Canada says Joly will "reaffirm Canada's support for Israel and its right to defend itself in accordance with international law."

The minister will also "discuss the impacts of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation on Gaza, reiterate the importance of respecting international humanitarian law, and push forward collective efforts to ensure the swift and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid, as well as the protection of Israeli and Palestinian civilians."

Joly says her "priority is to meet with partners and see first-hand the evolving situation on the ground so that Canada can provide the support most needed at this critical time."

"Canada is shocked and saddened by the events that unfolded over the last week," she added. "My thoughts are with all civilians impacted by the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which has also taken a toll on communities at home in Canada and around the world."

The war between Israel and Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has left more than 3,000 people dead.

Hamas' assault on Oct. 7, which included the firing of thousands of rockets, killed more than 1,300 people in Israel, including 247 soldiers. Among the dead are children and hundreds of people killed at a music festival. Some 150 people have been taken to Gaza as hostages, Israel says.

Hamas has been a listed terrorist entity in Canada since 2002.

Israel has cut off all food, water and supplies to Gaza and caused a territory-wide blackout. Both Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007.

The Gaza Health Ministry said Friday that 1,799 people have been killed in the territory, including more than 580 under the age of 18 and 351 women.

Israel says about 1,500 Hamas militants have been killed inside Israel and that hundreds of the dead in Gaza are Hamas members.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, has told about one million Palestinians – or roughly half of the population of Gaza – to evacuate the northern part of the territory and head south ahead of an expected ground invasion.

Hamas has urged Palestinians to stay in their homes and ignore what it called "psychological warfare," adding that Israel "is trying to create confusion among citizens and harm the cohesion of our internal front."

The United Nations has warned that having so many people flee, which according to an evacuation order it received gave Palestinians a 24-hour deadline, would be "calamitous." The Israeli military, however, told The Associated Press that there is no formal deadline.

Israel has also traded fire with Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon and another listed terrorist entity in Canada.

With files from The Associated Press