Palestinian children gather at a hot meal distribution point in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on June 4.EYAD BABA/AFP/Getty Images

Mark Kersten is an assistant professor in criminal justice at the University of the Fraser Valley and a senior consultant at the Wayamo Foundation.

Canadian authorities are conducting an investigation into war crimes and other potential atrocities committed in the Israel-Hamas war. First reported by journalist Ben Mussett, the news comes amidst mounting evidence of the intentional starvation of civilians in Gaza, the refusal of Hamas to return hostages, moves to build new (and illegal) settlements in the West Bank, and open calls among Israeli leaders to depopulate Gaza. The RCMP investigation marks the first time that Canada has dedicated tangible resources to investigating international crimes in the Palestinian territories and Israel.

Details are thin, but we know that the RCMP opened the investigation in early 2024, just months after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, and amidst Israel’s continuing siege of Gaza. This........

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