Israeli Foreign Minister Tells Canada Cease-Fire Hopes Dashed by Diplomatic ‘Attacks’

People rush toward a truck carrying humanitarian aid as it drives along al-Rashid street in western Jabalia on July 22, 2025, after trucks entered the northern Gaza Strip through the Israeli-controlled Zikim border crossing. Omar Al-Qatta/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said he told his Canadian counterpart Minister Anita Anand that diplomatic “attacks” against Israel have led Hamas to reject a cease-fire proposal.

Ottawa has been vocal in advocating for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its military operations to defeat Hamas and as dire humanitarian conditions continue in the region.

Canada in recent days joined nearly 30 other countries in issuing a statement calling for the war to “end now.” The statement said the suffering of civilians has “reached new depths” and criticized Israel’s aid delivery model.

The signatory countries also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas, but Israel criticized the statement for not “focus[ing] the pressure on Hamas” or recognizing “Hamas’s role” in the situation. Hamas welcomed the statement as a mark of “international recognition” of the Israeli “occupation.”

Sa‘ar and Anand spoke on July 25 about the situation in the Middle East. Sa’ar said he told Anand that Israel had agreed to a cease-fire deal involving the release of some hostages, but that Hamas “stubbornly hardened its position.”

“Strong diplomatic attacks by certain countries against Israel during sensitive times in the negotiations only encouraged Hamas to do so,” Sa'ar said on social media.

Talks in Doha mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States broke down on July 24, with the U.S. and Israeli sides blaming Hamas. “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” said U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas meanwhile said it was open to continuing talks and was surprised by Witkoff’s comments.

Anand also released a readout of her call with Sa'ar on social media, saying she asked that Canada’s $300 million in committed humanitarian aid be unblocked “immediately.”

“I also reiterated Canada’s ongoing support for an immediate ceasefire. Hamas must release all hostages, lay down its arms and play no role in the governance of a Palestinian State,” she said.

The call took place a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement accusing Israel of violating international law for holding back humanitarian aid.

The issue of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip has been highly contentious, with Israel saying shipments were being hijacked by Hamas to the detriment of the population. Israel implemented a new system where it controls distribution in militarized zones, but deaths have been reported during distribution with blame being laid on each side of the warring parties.

Israel showed reporters this week a large quantity of supplies waiting to be distributed at a border crossing and accused the United Nations of not doing its work. Meanwhile, the UN says Israel has not helped to facilitate some shipments and noted a variety of factors impeding distribution, such as ongoing hostilities, criminal looting, and logistical obstacles.

Aside from the humanitarian crisis, there have been some political developments related to the area with French President Emmanuel Macron saying he will recognize Palestinian statehood in September. France would then become the first G7 country to do so, while 75 percent of UN member states already recognize Palestine.

“The prospect of a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Middle East seems increasingly distant,” Macron wrote to Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas on July 24, informing him of his decision. “I cannot resign myself to that.”

U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the move on July 25, telling reporters what Macron says “doesn’t matter, it’s not going to change anything.”

Meanwhile, Israel reacted more negatively. Sa'ar said he told Anand that “unilateral steps by France and other countries will only push Israel to take steps of its own,” without elaborating.

He added France’s “initiative harms the chances of achieving a hostage deal and ceasefire. It won’t promote stability in the region.”

Carney said on July 24 that Canada will work “intensively in all fora” on a two-state solution, while Anand noted she will be discussing the issue at the United Nations conference next week. The conference will not be attended by the U.S. side, according to the State Department.