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Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: What You Need to Know About Tomorrow's Payment

  If you've ever received a GST/HST credit payment from the CRA, there's a good chance money is landing in your bank account tomorrow — and this time, it could be noticeably bigger than usual. On June 5, 2026 , the federal government is issuing a one-time top-up payment to more than 12 million eligible Canadians as part of the transition to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . Here's what the payment is, how much you could receive, and what changes are coming in July. What Is the June 5 Payment? The June 5 deposit is a one-time GST/HST credit top-up — equal to 50% of your annual GST/HST credit entitlement for the 2025–26 benefit year. Think of it as a bonus mid-year payment on top of your regular quarterly schedule. This payment is part of the federal government's bridge between the old GST/HST credit and the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which officially launches in July 2026. The goal is to get money into Canadians' hands now, b...

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Hamas Official Expresses Willingness to Disarm for Independent Palestinian State

 

In a significant development, a top Hamas political official has stated that the Islamic militant group would be willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders. Khalil al-Hayya, who has represented Hamas in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange, made this statement during an interview with the Associated Press in Istanbul. Here are the key points:

  1. Truce and Disarmament: Hamas is open to a truce with Israel lasting five years or more. If an independent Palestinian state is established, the group would lay down its weapons and transform into a political party.

  2. Stalemate in Cease-Fire Talks: The comments by al-Hayya come amid a stalemate in months of cease-fire talks. While the suggestion that Hamas would disarm is significant, it remains unlikely that Israel would consider such a scenario. Israel has vowed to crush Hamas following the deadly attacks that triggered the war, and its current leadership opposes the creation of a Palestinian state on lands captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

  3. Joining the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): Al-Hayya expressed Hamas’ desire to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which is headed by the rival Fatah faction. The goal is to form a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank. He emphasized that if a fully sovereign Palestinian state is realized, Hamas’ military wing would dissolve.

  4. Historical Precedent: Al-Hayya drew parallels with other independence movements, noting that forces that fought against occupiers often transformed into political parties and national armies once they achieved independence and obtained their rights.

While this statement represents a potential shift in Hamas’ stance, the road to lasting peace remains complex. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a deeply entrenched issue with multiple historical, political, and security dimensions.

In summary, Hamas’ willingness to disarm hinges on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but challenges persist in reaching a comprehensive resolution. The international community closely watches these developments, hoping for progress toward peace in the region.




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