Canada Condemns Israeli Incursion, Pledges Fresh Aid for Lebanon

A senior Canadian official has sharply criticized Israel's military operation in Lebanon, calling it an "unlawful invasion" and urging respect for Lebanese sovereignty. Randeep Sarai, Canada's Secretary of State for International Development, made the remarks during a visit to Beirut, where he announced fresh humanitarian assistance for the crisis-hit country.

Sarai said Ottawa has been working through diplomatic channels to halt the conflict and allow displaced Lebanese communities to return to their homes. His comments come as the United Nations reports that roughly 360,000 people remain displaced following the latest hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The current war began in early March when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, two days after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The conflict has claimed over 4,000 lives, caused extensive destruction in southern Lebanon, and at one point displaced more than one million people. Israeli forces have launched a ground invasion and currently occupy dozens of towns and villages in the south, many of which have been largely demolished. Israeli officials have stated they will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed.

During his visit, Sarai announced three new Canadian programs aimed at supporting vulnerable families and women in Lebanon. This brings Ottawa's total assistance to the country this year to over 71 million Canadian dollars ($50.23 million). Canada, home to a large Lebanese diaspora, has provided approximately 800 million Canadian dollars ($575 million) in aid to Lebanon over the past decade.

Sarai also met with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, both of whom took office last year vowing to restore state authority across Lebanon and implement anti-corruption reforms. The country continues to grapple with a severe economic crisis that began in late 2019, rooted in years of systemic corruption.

Expressing cautious optimism, Sarai noted that the international community is watching Lebanon's reform efforts closely. He also addressed the situation of Syrian refugees, saying Canada is working to help create a safe environment in Syria with access to food, water, and schools, so that more refugees can voluntarily return. Lebanon once hosted an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees; around half a million have returned since the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024.