OTTAWA (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said again on Friday he would like to see a "durable ceasefire" between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza.
"We would like to see a ceasefire, but an efficient and durable ceasefire," he told a press conference. "We have asked for the ceasefire to both parties in this conflict."
Since its election in 2006, Harper's Conservative government has been an ardent supporter of Israel, while Hamas is listed by Ottawa as a terrorist organization.
On Wednesday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Kent blamed Hamas for civilian casualties in the conflict, including 40 at a school bombarded by the Israeli military, saying Hamas provoked the attack.
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