Councillor Shafiq Dogar, who proposed the movement, stated a ceasefire would permit Hamas to launch hostages and let humanitarian support attain individuals.
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The mayor and council of the Regional Municipality of Wooden Buffalo (RMWB) will ship a letter urging Canada to push Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza. Councillor Shafiq Dogar, who proposed the movement at Tuesday’s council assembly, stated this might permit Hamas to launch hostages and let humanitarian support attain individuals.
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Council authorized unanimously by the remainder of council. The letter can be despatched to Laila Goodridge, Conservative MP for Fort McMurray-Chilly Lake, and different federal officers.
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“There was this horrific assault by Hamas on Oct. 7 and the response to that’s Israel began heavy bombardment of Gaza. The people who find themselves struggling are usually not Hamas fighters, the bulk who’re getting killed are civilians and the vast majority of the civilians are kids,” stated Abdulsalam Abdo, a resident who spoke in help of the movement. “We’re asking for a ceasefire to cease the killing of people and kids and ladies and elders.”
Dogar and Abdo instructed council that different cities in Canada have handed comparable motions to their federal representatives. Mayor Sandy Bowman stated he’s additionally involved with the state of affairs in Gaza and has met with leaders of Fort McMurray’s Muslim group to debate the difficulty.
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“One factor we’re very pleased with on this group is being so various and in that range, issues like this the world over have an affect on the residents right here,” stated Bowman. “Though our letter could not have any impact, it does present our help for our residents.”
Councillors Keith McGrath and Funky Banjoko additionally spoke in help of sending a letter to federal officers. Abdu praised Banjoko’s daughter, Kg Banjoko, for becoming a member of native protests calling for a ceasefire.
“As a mom it’s been tough to look at the information and I’m supporting the movement as a result of we want peace in our world,” stated Banjoko. “Girls, kids and susceptible individuals undergo extra when nations take to arms and it’s tough to look at these issues. I pray for peace for each international locations and for our world.”
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There have been weekly protests in Fort McMurray calling for an finish to the battle. Almost 1,000 individuals joined a march on Sunday in opposition to Israel’s bombardment. Wooden Buffalo RCMP says these rallies have remained peaceable and with out main incident.
Current polls from Aurora Technique International and Mainstreet Analysis present most Canadians desire a ceasefire. Each polls additionally discovered most Canadians imagine Hamas is a terrorist group and hostages must be launched instantly.
The Aurora ballot additionally discovered most Canadians imagine Israel has a proper to defend itself from Hamas, however are break up 60/40 on whether or not invading Gaza was proper. The Mainstreet ballot discovered most Canadians need Ottawa to use diplomacy to help a ceasefire or humanitarian reduction
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been criticized at protests for Gaza for not calling for a ceasefire. Nonetheless, he has urged Israel to point out “most restraint” in defending civilians. Trudeau’s remarks had been condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X, the web site previously generally known as Twitter.
Earlier than the conflict, Gaza was residence to greater than 2 million individuals in a territory roughly 360 square-kilometres. Kids are roughly half the inhabitants.
The Palestinian Well being Authority claims greater than 11,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed since Israel started its bombing marketing campaign. The Swiss-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor estimates Israel has dropped no less than 25,000 tonnes of explosives have been dropped on Gaza.
Hamas killed about 1,200 individuals in Israel on Oct. 7, together with eight individuals with connections to Canada. Greater than 240 individuals had been taken hostage by Hamas. Greater than 340 Canadian residents, everlasting residents and eligible household have been in a position to go away Gaza because the begin of Israel’s bombing marketing campaign.
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