The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed this week that it has been conducting an investigation since early 2024 into potential war crimes connected to the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization.
The RCMP described the probe as a “structural investigation” under Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program, a federal initiative tasked with identifying and addressing serious international offenses. While details remain limited, the national police force stated that it evaluates all allegations with impartiality and will not comment further on the ongoing matter.
The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented cross-border invasion of southern Israel. In a coordinated assault, more than 3,000 armed terrorists stormed Israeli communities, slaughtering approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and abducting 251 others, including women, children and the elderly. The atrocities committed that day were among the worst acts of anti-Jewish violence since the Holocaust.
Hamas has repeatedly declared its intent to carry out additional Oct. 7-style massacres, openly vowing to attack Israel again and again until its stated goal—the destruction of the Jewish state—is achieved.
Israel’s response has centered on three key goals: defeating Hamas militarily, dismantling its terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and bringing home all the hostages.
Canada’s investigation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the war, and as Israel faces a growing wave of international criticism. Still, Jerusalem maintains that its actions are a legitimate exercise of self-defense against a genocidal terrorist organization that uses civilian areas as cover for its operations.
According to Canada’s Department of Justice, structural investigations such as this one are initiated when officials believe there is evidence of serious international crimes and when there is a significant immigrant population in Canada that may hold relevant testimony or evidence.
The RCMP has not disclosed what specifically triggered the Gaza-related probe, nor whether any individuals or groups in Canada are under suspicion.
While the Canadian government has been vocal in condemning Hamas’s actions and calling for the release of all hostages, it has also issued statements critical of Israeli military operations. Officials have not said why the RCMP’s investigation was not publicly announced when it began.
Jerusalem, meanwhile, has reiterated that the war will not end until Hamas is removed from power and the threat to Israeli civilians is eliminated.
Israel’s National Security Council last month raised its travel advisory for Canada from Level 1 (“no warning”) to Level 2 (“potential threat”), citing an increased danger to Israelis and Jews living or traveling in the country.
The NSC noted a “growing threat from terrorist elements” in Canada, pointing to a series of recent attacks and threats targeting Jewish institutions and individuals. Over the past 18 months, there have been multiple incidents, including shootings, arson attacks and direct threats against Jews and Israelis.
