Merve Aydogan
09 April 2026•Update: 09 April 2026
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday emphasized the need to include Lebanon in the Iran ceasefire amid Israel’s heightened attacks on the country.
“The ceasefire is very fragile. I think that’s obvious,” Carney told reporters at an event in Quebec, where he announced “an important initiative” to diversify Canada’s trade and strengthen its economy.
When asked about the situation in Lebanon and whether sanctions should be applied against Israel, Carney said “the (US-Iran) ceasefire needs to include Lebanon,” adding that it “needs to be the reality on the ground.”
Noting the need to bring the Lebanese group Hezbollah “under control,” he expressed Canada’s readiness and “influence” to support the Lebanese government in its efforts against Hezbollah.
However, Carney dismissed possible sanctions against Israel, saying: “I wouldn’t go to what you’re suggesting as the method at this point, at this delicate point in time.”
“But the ceasefire needs to include Lebanon, and needs to include it now,” he added.
The Israeli army has escalated its attacks across Lebanon despite a two-week Washington-Tehran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan as a step toward a final agreement to halt the Iran war launched on Feb. 28.
Israel carried out one of its largest strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday since launching its military offensive against Hezbollah early last month. The attacks have killed at least 254 people and wounded 1,165, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defense.
The escalation has raised concerns about a potential renewed Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, possibly extending to the Litani River.
