Canada Announces C$100 Million Aid Boost for Palestinians Amid UN Calls on Settlements

Ottawa revealed a fresh commitment of C$100 million (about US$71 million) to support humanitarian and development projects for Palestinians, the government said on Saturday. The funding, earmarked for health, education and infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza, is part of a broader effort to alleviate the daily hardships faced by the population, Al Jazeera reported.

At the same time, the United Kingdom and France used the United Nations General Assembly floor to demand stronger international measures against the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. Both European capitals urged the UN to adopt concrete steps that could curb construction activity, which they argue undermines the two‑state solution, Al Jazeera noted.

The settlement issue has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. Since the 1967 war, Israel has built more than 600,000 housing units in areas the international community deems occupied, a move repeatedly condemned by UN resolutions. Previous General Assembly sessions have seen calls for a halt to settlement activity, but enforcement mechanisms remain limited, leaving the matter largely in the diplomatic arena.

Canada’s new pledge follows a series of smaller aid packages over the past decade, including a C$30 million contribution in 2022 for water infrastructure in Gaza. The latest infusion marks the largest single‑year commitment from Ottawa since the 2020 pandemic response, signalling a shift toward more sustained engagement in the region. Analysts note that the timing aligns with Canada’s broader foreign‑policy push to reaffirm its role in multilateral peace initiatives.

Humanitarian groups say the additional resources could help bridge gaps in medical supplies and school reconstruction, especially as the region grapples with the aftermath of recent clashes. Meanwhile, the UK and France’s appeal at the UNGA may set the stage for a formal resolution later this year, although any binding action will likely depend on consensus among the Security Council’s permanent members. The convergence of new aid and diplomatic pressure underscores a renewed international focus on the humanitarian and political dimensions of the conflict.