G7: Iran’s attack risks provoking ’uncontrollable regional escalation’

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Iran’s weekend assault on Israel marks an additional step towards destabilization of the Center East and dangers frightening “an uncontrollable regional escalation,” leaders from Canada and the opposite G7 international locations mentioned Sunday after convening by video convention.

The leaders of the Group of Seven superior democracies unequivocally condemned Iran’s resolution to focus on Israel with tons of of drones and missiles “within the strongest phrases,” calling it a “direct and unprecedented assault.”

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Israel, with the assistance of allies, largely managed to thwart the barrage, which triggered minimal harm.

“We specific our full solidarity and help to Israel and its folks and reaffirm our dedication in the direction of its safety,” mentioned the G7 leaders’ assertion, launched by the workplace of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“We’ll proceed to work to stabilize the state of affairs and keep away from additional escalation. On this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies stop their assaults, and we stand able to take additional measures now and in response to additional destabilizing initiatives.”

U.S. President Joe Biden earlier mentioned he would convene the assembly to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to an assault he described as brazen.

Iran launched round 300 missiles and drones at targets inside Israel, however Israeli officers say the nation and its allies have been in a position to intercept about 99 per cent of them. Iran has since declared the operation over.

Defence Minister Bill Blair said Sunday on X, previously Twitter, that he was receiving common updates from the Canadian Forces “and can proceed to observe the state of affairs intently.”

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Canada’s political events have been united in condemning Iran after the in a single day offensive.

Trudeau mentioned Canada denounces the assault in a area already embroiled in a six-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“These assaults show but once more the Iranian regime’s disregard for peace and stability within the area,” Trudeau mentioned in a press release launched shortly after the offensive received underway. “We help Israel’s proper to defend itself and its folks from these assaults.”

Battle between Israel and Iran heightened after an airstrike blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria and killed two Iranian generals. Tehran vowed revenge.

Israel closed its airspace Saturday in anticipation of Iran’s assaults and by early Sunday, booms and air-raid sirens sounded throughout the nation.

The Israeli army’s spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, mentioned Iran fired scores of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles _ with the overwhelming majority intercepted outdoors Israel’s borders.

In Washington, Biden mentioned U.S. forces helped Israel down “practically all” the drones and missiles. U.Ok. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mentioned Britain’s air drive shot down numerous Iranian drones.

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Leah Appel wakened at round 1:45 a.m. Sunday to really feel the volleys rattling her Jerusalem condo constructing.

“It felt like 1,000-ton weights had been dropped within the condo above our condo and our entire room was shaking,” the native of Montreal mentioned in a telephone iterview.

“I mentioned to (my husband, Moshe), ’What’s that?’ He opened the window, and there was simply fireplace within the sky.”

That’s when the sirens started and the couple and their two kids took a packed bag of garments, meals and necessities all the way down to the condo’s bomb shelter.

Francis Weil, president of the Moncton Jewish Neighborhood, mentioned Sunday he has relations in Jerusalem and Netanya, on the Mediterranean shore.

“Final evening they have been sending messages saying that they have been frightened, however this morning they really feel a lot, a lot reduction they usually really feel a giant, huge weight off their shoulders,” he mentioned.

In Tehran, information of the assault on Israel got here as a shock to Alireza Ghandchi.

The Richmond Hill, Ont., resident, who’s visiting his dad and mom, mentioned the temper was fearful, with concern a retaliatory assault by Israel can be carried out at evening.

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“The individuals are tense and they’re apprehensive about Israel’s assault,” he mentioned. “I hope issues relax.”

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course all through Israel’s conflict in opposition to Hamas militants in Gaza.

Within the Oct. 7 assault that sparked the present battle, Iran-backed militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad killed 1,200 folks in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. The next Israeli offensive in Gaza has triggered widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 folks, in line with native well being officers.

Of their assertion, the G7 leaders mentioned they’d strengthen co-operation to finish the disaster, together with work towards “a right away and sustainable ceasefire,” the discharge of hostages by Hamas and supply of elevated humanitarian help to Palestinians in want.

Ottawa has confronted strain in latest months to designate the IRGC _ the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a department of Iran’s army _ as a terrorist group.

Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre urged Canada to work with allies to carry Iran accountable.

“The Authorities of Canada should instantly ban the Tehran-controlled terrorist group, IRGC, to guard our folks and cease the regime from utilizing our nation to lift funds, plan and co-ordinate,” he mentioned in a written assertion Saturday.

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NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh condemned the “severe escalation represented by Iran’s assault on Israel.”

“So many harmless folks have been killed within the area — that is unacceptable,” Singh wrote on X. “Canada should do every little thing in its energy to de-escalate the state of affairs.”

Worldwide criticism of Iran’s assault was swift, with the United Nations secretary-general calling for “a right away cessation of those hostilities.”

Israel’s ambassador to Canada thanked Trudeau and International Affairs Minister Melanie Joly for his or her phrases of help.

“Israel will proceed to defend itself in opposition to hostile assaults from Iran and all of its proxies within the area. Iran is making an attempt to disrupt regional stability and we thank our allies for his or her help as these occasions unfold,” Iddo Moed mentioned in a press release.

Air Canada cancelled its Saturday flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv, citing “authorities or regulatory restrictions outdoors our management.”

Israel closed its airspace in the course of the in a single day assault, reopening it at 7:30 a.m. native time — 12:30 a.m. in Toronto.

Air Canada has opted to droop flights for no less than a number of extra days.

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“Because of the latest developments within the Center East, operations to and from Tel Aviv are at present paused,” spokesman Christophe Hennebelle mentioned in an e mail Sunday.

The airline’s Toronto-Tel Aviv flight slated for Thursday stays on the schedule.

“We’re very intently monitoring the state of affairs and can modify accordingly,” Hennebelle mentioned.

Air Canada had lately resumed continuous flights to Tel Aviv following their suspension in October.

United Airways, which additionally cancelled its Saturday flight to Tel Aviv from New Jersey, was the one different main North American service to have restarted direct flights to Israel.

— With recordsdata from Nicole Thompson in Toronto and The Related Press

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