RCMP Clarifies Nature of Its Investigation Into Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military vehicles stand near the border with Gaza, in Israel, May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

The federal police force clarified the nature of its investigation into the Israel-Hamas conflict after the probe sparked media coverage and raised concerns from pro-Israel advocates in response.

In an exclusive report on June 2, the Toronto Star said the RCMP was probing potential war crimes in the conflict, but wouldn’t share more details about the investigation. Referring to the claim, some Israeli media later said that the RCMP is investigating potential war crimes committed by Canadians serving in the Israeli military.

Reacting to the media coverage, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said it was “deeply concerning to read sensationalist reports” about the RCMP’s investigation and asked Ottawa to provide clarification.

The group added there are “deadly consequences” when “false narratives are left to fester and go unchallenged,” in reference to recent violent anti-Semitic attacks in the United States. An illegal immigrant from Egypt firebombed pro-Israel protesters in Colorado while yelling “free Palestine” on June 1, injuring 12. In a separate attack, two staffers of the Israeli embassy were killed in Washington on May 21, also by a suspect who yelled “free Palestine.”

The RCMP issued a statement on June 4 in a bid to clarify the nature and scope of its investigation. The force said it has not opened a criminal investigation but rather a “structural investigation” into the conflict.

This type of investigation pertains to the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act and involves collecting, preserving, and assessing relevant information. This information could support future investigative steps should the matter meet a certain jurisdictional and legal threshold, the RCMP said.

“Should a perpetrator of core international crimes—such as genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity—with the appropriate nexus to Canada be identified, the RCMP will initiate a separate criminal investigation,” the force said.

RCMP structural investigations take place under the War Crimes Program, seeking to deny safe haven in Canada to individuals believed to be involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Other government entities involved in the program include the departments of justice and immigration and the border agency.

CIJA and Deborah Lyons, Canada’s special envoy on combatting anti-Semitism, both issued statements after the RCMP went public to say that no Canadians are being investigated for war crimes.

“Yesterday I spoke to the RCMP and confirmed that there is no investigation into Israeli Canadians,” said Lyons.

The RCMP said its structural investigation into the conflict started in a “developmental capacity” in early 2024, but wasn’t publicly announced as the agency puts operational tools in place. The police force said the establishment of an online portal to receive information from the public on the conflict was delayed due to technical challenges.

The RCMP said the public shouldn’t draw premature conclusions from its work which is not directed at any particular group.

“We conduct this work with impartiality, relying on evidence-based assessments in alignment with the principles of the rule of law,” the force said.

Probing Conflicts

Lyons said it is “standard procedure” for the RCMP to probe conflicts around the world and that her office would “follow closely the scope and process, as appropriate.”

The RCMP had announced in April 2022 it was launching a structural investigation into the Russia-Ukraine war, a few months after the invasion was launched. The portal to collect information on that conflict is up and running.

The Russia-Ukraine war has not been as divisive in Canada as the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Anti-Israel protests and violent anti-Semitic attacks have been a common occurrence in Canada and across the Western world since listed terrorist group Hamas conducted a raid inside Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent military action in Gaza.

The Canadian government has not been fully supportive of Israel’s military operations. Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a joint statement with the leaders of France and the United Kingdom in May threatening to take “further concrete actions” against Israel over the issue of escalating military operations and the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted by saying that in making the statement, the Western leaders were offering Hamas a “huge prize” in the Gaza war.

Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity against the population of the Gaza Strip. Israel has defended that its military actions have been conducted according to international law.

When the warrant was issued in November 2024, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said Canada would abide by the rulings of international courts when asked by reporters whether he would prevent Netanyahu’s arrest if he comes to Canada.

His successor Carney has not spoken on the matter. His public comments so far have been to call for a ceasefire, condemn Hamas’s terrorist activities, and also to criticize Israel in some cases.

“We are in a situation where we need to have an immediate ceasefire. We need to have all the hostages returned, and we need to resume humanitarian aid to Gaza,” Carney said during the election campaign.

In a comment that prompted reaction from Netanyahu during Carney’s election campaign in April, a protester at a campaign rally in Calgary shouted “there’s a genocide happening in Palestine.” Carney responded “I’m aware, that’s why we have an arms embargo.”

“Backtrack your irresponsible statement!” Netanyahu told Carney in a post on social media. “Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney.”

Carney later told reporters he had not heard the word “genocide” being uttered by the heckler. “My point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza,” he said.