Canada tells Israel that Lebanon’s sovereignty ‘must not be violated’
Al Jazeera
Canada and France call on Israel to halt plans to occupy southern Lebanon as invasion preparations under way.
Canada has said that it “strongly condemns” Israel’s plans to occupy southern Lebanon and warned that Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity “must not be violated”, amid plans by Israeli forces to mount a major ground invasion of its northern neighbour.
Israel’s preparations to invade and take control of territory up to 30km (18.6 miles) inside Lebanon’s southern border come as the death toll in Lebanon from Israeli attacks has risen to at least 1,072 people, with almost 3,000 wounded, since the start of this month.
More than a million people have also been displaced by weeks of Israeli attacks in the south and east of the country, as well as the capital, Beirut, while warnings of a humanitarian crisis are being made at all levels, as Israel’s ground incursion looms.
Expressing “solidarity” with the Lebanese government and people of Lebanon, Canada’s Ministry of Global Affairs said on Wednesday that all sides in the conflict must “act in accordance with international law”.
“We urge all parties to protect civilians, refrain from attacks on infrastructure, health workers, and peacekeepers,” the ministry said in a statement.
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The F-35 fighter jet landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition, CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said.
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