22.31°C Vancouver

Nov 24, 2023 6:06 PM - The Canadian Press

Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau

Share On
hamas-hostage-deal-progress-but-long-term-peace-needs-many-more-steps-trudeau
Trudeau says the world needs a lasting peace in the region, including a two-state solution (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is still rejecting demands for Canada to call for a full ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but he says a deal to temporarily halt hostilities this week so Hamas can release hostages represents progress.

Trudeau says the world needs a lasting peace in the region, including a two-state solution. He made the comments today at a news conference in St. John's, saying that that will require many steps, but that the humanitarian pause that started today is progress.

The militant group has so far freed 24 people, including 13 Israeli women and children, 10 people from Thailand and one person from the Philippines.

The pause in fighting is a respite for some 1.7 million people the United Nations says have been displaced amid Israel's retaliation campaign in the Gaza Strip, where local health authorities say 13,300 Palestinians have been killed and another 6,000 people are missing.

Latest news

rcmp-investigating-cause-of-bald-range-wildfire-near-summerland
BCAug 11, 2026

RCMP investigating cause of Bald Range wildfire near Summerland

RCMP have launched an investigation into the cause of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C. The Penticton South Okanagan RCMP say the fire may have been sparked by suspicious activity and investigators are looking into the circumstances. Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on the afternoon of Aug. 7 near Princeton-Summerland Road, Bathville Road or Crump Recreation Site to come forward. Investigators are also asking anyone with dashcam or cellphone photos or video from the area to contact police. Police are warning the public not to spread unverified informat
canada-u-s-trade-talks-continue-as-tariff-deadline-approaches
CanadaAug 11, 2026

Canada-U.S. trade talks continue as tariff deadline approaches

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington today as the two countries continue efforts to resolve their ongoing trade dispute. It is their third face-to-face meeting in the past few weeks. LeBlanc was scheduled to travel to Washington on Monday, but his flight was forced to return to Montreal due to bad weather. Meanwhile, Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, spent Monday in the U.S. capital, where she met with an official from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Team Canada is working to find a middle ground to av
CanadaAug 11, 2026

Ontario Liberal leadership race opens with debate over Ford record and need for legislature seat

Ontario Liberal leadership candidates, including former federal minister Navdeep Bains, took part in their first debate Monday night, with the five contenders criticizing Premier Doug Ford’s government on the economy, health care, education and affordability. The candidates also disagreed over whether the party’s next leader should hold a seat in the Ontario legislature. Two of the five candidates are sitting provincial MPPs and argued that having a seat in the legislature would provide a stronger platform to challenge the Ford government. Bains and two other candidates do not currently ho
quebec-premier-open-to-return-of-u-s-wines-if-trade-gains-are-made
CanadaAug 10, 2026

Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores. The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald T
BCAug 10, 2026

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the

Related News