Canadian Government position:

"Adam Hodge, spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, told AFP in response to the criticisms that "Canada mourns the death and suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza.

"However, responsibility rests solely with Hamas and its allies, who launched and continue to feed this crisis," he added.

"We stand by Israel's right to defend itself, by itself. Israel will be forced to continue defending itself as long as Hamas continues its rocket attacks against civilians.""