Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for Israel to end its weeks-long blockade and allow humanitarian aid to enter the besieged enclave, Al Jazeera reports.

“We need to work with our international partners [to exert] maximum pressure, maximum encouragement for an immediate ceasefire [in Gaza],” he said, speaking as the leaders of Canada’s four major parties squared off in their final debate ahead of the country’s general election later this month.

Posting on X, Carney also called for the “the release of all hostages” and “more humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza”, as well as a “lasting two-state solution”.