Palestinian protesters carry an injured man who was shot by Israeli troops during a deadly protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel, east of Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Monday, May 14, 2018. Thousands of Palestinians are protesting near Gaza's border with Israel, as Israel celebrates the inauguration of a new U.S. Embassy in contested Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freehand has urged cooler heads to calm the conflict in Gaza as violence has increased to its deadliest in years.

“We call for a de-escalation of tensions and a return to direct negotiations,” Adam Austen, Freeland’s press secretary, told iPolitics Monday.

Tensions boiled over between Palestinian protestors and Israeli troops Monday, when Israeli forces killed 58 Palestinians protestors and injured 2400. The eruption of ongoing violence is the culmination of six weeks of Hamas-led protests at the Gaza border, which has been dubbed the “Great March of Return.” It also coincides with Monday’s opening of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

Violence is expected to pick up again Tuesday when Palestinians commemorate the Nakba, or the catastrophe, which is how they refer to their May 14, 1948, displacement amidst creation of the state of Israel.

Austen condemned the involvement of Hamas in the clash, pointing out that the group is “a listed terrorist organization.”

Freeland’s press secretary didn’t let the other actors off the hook.

“All parties to the conflict have a responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians, to respect international law, avoid incitement to violence and to limit the use of force,” he said.

The foreign affairs minister also took to Twitter to speak out against the violence and call for the protection of civilians.

Deeply concerned by violence in Gaza Strip. We are saddened by deaths + injuries that occurred today + over past weeks. It is inexcusable that civilians, journalists + children have been victims. All parties to the conflict have a responsibility to ensure civilians are protected. — Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) May 14, 2018

“It is appalling and inexcusable that civilians, members of the media and children have been among the victims,” Austen added.

Amnesty International’s global press office said local health authorities are appealing for international assistance as they attempt to reckon with the violence.

Medical services in #Gaza at breaking point as already weakened hospital and healthcare system deals with almost 2000 injured in a single day, over 900 from live ammunition. Health authorities in #Gaza appeal to the international community for assistance. — amnestypress (@amnestypress) May 14, 2018

A senior Hamas leader, Khalil Al-Hayya, was quoted in Reuters as saying the protest purposefully coincided with Trump’s “deplorable crime of moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.”

In a Dec. 23 vote at the U.N. General Assembly, Canada was one of 35 countries that abstained from declaring U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital to be null and void. The resolution tallied at 128-9 in favour of condemning Trump’s move. Allies like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany all voted to disapprove of the U.S. president’s decision.

“Canada’s longstanding position is that the status of Jerusalem can be resolved only as part of a general settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute,” Austen said.

At the time, Bessma Momani, a senior fellow and Middle East expert with the Centre for International Governance and Innovation warned that Trump’s effort to the move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be counterproductive.

“(Canada) should stand with the international community and wider expert opinion that the U.S. move is unnecessary, counterproductive, and toxic,” said Momani.

Trump has stood firm in his position and called Monday a “big day for Israel” on Twitter.

Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has also said that if Conservatives form government, they would follow Trump’s lead and recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Erin O’Toole, the Tories’ foreign affairs critic, took to Twitter to condemn the violence — although he didn’t mention Israel’s role or the U.S. embassy’s move to Jerusalem.

Very concerned by violence in Gaza including deaths and injuries. Peace and stability for the region will not be achieved through violent means, so we can hope dialogue replaces confrontation. — Erin O’Toole (@ErinOTooleMP) May 14, 2018

The NDP condemned the killings in a statement. They also had some choice words on the government’s approach to the issue to date.

“The use of live ammunition against protestors and resulting deaths are clear violations of international law and human rights,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “Our government has been shamefully silent on recent developments in Gaza, and the Prime Minister should condemn the violence, call on Israel to cease violations of international law, and support an independent investigation into these deaths.”

The UN is expected to hold an emergency meeting on the escalating violence Tuesday.

With a file from The Canadian Press

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