Ottawa has announced additional humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel and subsequent retaliation, while addressing fears the aid could be diverted to fund terrorist activities.

Hamas has been de facto ruling the Gaza Strip since taking over in 2007.

Ottawa provides approximately $55 million annually to “help meet the development and humanitarian needs of vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza,” says Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The funding is split between $20 million for development aid and $35 million for humanitarian assistance.

The West Bank is ruled by the political party Fatah, a Hamas rival, and is not connected by land to the Gaza Strip.