New Canadian top diplomat slams Israel for blocking food 'as a political tool'

Canada's new foreign minister, Anita Anand, accused Israel on Wednesday of using a lack of food as a political tool in its war on Gaza, and urged further work on a ceasefire with Hamas.

Israel has completely sealed off the Gaza Strip since early March.

"We cannot allow the continued use of food as a political tool ... Over 50,000 people have died as a result of the aggression caused against the Palestinians and the Gazan people in Palestine. Using food as a political tool is simply unacceptable," Anand told reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting.

"We need to continue to work towards a ceasefire. We need to ensure that we have a two-state solution, and Canada will continue to maintain that position."