Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is giving it to Hamas, saying the violence in Gaza could have stopped earlier today if Hamas had followed a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Israel’s lead and suspended attacks.

”But Hamas rejected it without a second thought.  This proves beyond any reasonable doubt that Hamas has no interest in peace.”

Baird says as long as Hamas continues its terror campaign, Canada will keep supporting efforts to brig it to an end.

”Canada has long believed that innocent Palestinian people living in Gaza deserve far better than the reckless actions of this terrorist group that ruled for far too long.  And that has rarely been so painfully clear.”

While regretting the loss of life in Gaza, the foreign affairs minister adds responsibility rests with one organization, ”The buck stops with Hamas.  Hamas started this bloodshed.  Hamas can end it.”