House of Commons condemns alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Irwin Cotler

The House of Commons has condemned an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate former Liberal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler. MPs in the House unanimously supported a Bloc Québécois motion saluting Cotler’s human rights work, recognizing his political contributions, and condemning what it termed death threats orchestrated by agents of a foreign regime.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes targeted the heart of Beirut, near parliament and embassies. The Globe and Mail first reported that the RCMP warned Irwin Cotler on October 26th of an imminent threat to his life within 48 hours. The RCMP added that Cotler, a vocal critic of the Iranian regime, has been under their protection since the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel.

In Israel, emergency services and security forces responded to a site in central Israel on Monday, where four people were wounded during a Hezbollah rocket barrage. Israel’s army said the damage and injuries were most likely caused by shrapnel from an interceptor missile launched against a rocket. However, Israeli police indicated it was a direct hit from a rocket.

In Lebanon, two Israeli missiles struck central Beirut, killing at least four people and injuring 18 others, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Smoke was seen rising from the site, located not far from where the Lebanese government is headquartered.

This marked the second consecutive day Israel targeted the capital, continuing its campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel has intensified its bombardment of targets in and around Beirut over the past week, coinciding with increased movement in U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at reaching a ceasefire.

Lebanon and Hezbollah have agreed to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, with some comments on the content, a top Lebanese official told Reuters. The official described the effort as the most serious yet to end the fighting.

Photo courtesy: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/File