Canada probes former IDF soldiers over war crimes allegations

Canadian federal police opened a criminal investigation over a year ago into Canadian nationals who served in the IDF since October 7, 2023.

By World Israel News Staff

Canada’s federal law enforcement agency is currently probing Canadian nationals who served in the IDF – especially since October 7, 2023 – according to local media reports.

On Monday, the Toronto Star newspaper cited Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who confirmed that the federal agency is investigating the Israel-Hamas “armed conflict” for possible war crimes.

The report claimed that the probe was first launched in early 2024 without the same fanfare that accompanied the opening of a similar investigation into possible war crimes committed during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The probe, described as a structural investigation — a broad fact-finding mission — is being handled under the auspices of Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP).

CAHWCP is a joint program of the RCMP, the Justice Department, Canada’s border enforcement agency, and immigration authorities.

Several Canadian nationals who served in the IDF are already under investigation, the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported, including non-Israeli lone soldiers who volunteered to serve in the Israeli military.

The Canadian government has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza in recent months.

On May 19, Ottawa joined the French and British governments in condemning plans by Israel’s Security Cabinet to significantly increase the scope of the IDF’s ground campaign in the Gaza Strip aimed at capturing the entire coastal enclave.

“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” the three governments said in a statement.