HAMILTON, Canada

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday condemned Israel's military actions inside the Lebanese territory, calling it "an illegal invasion" of the country.

"It's an illegal invasion" of Lebanon, Carney told reporters during a news conference in Quebec, adding: "It's a violation of their territorial sovereignty, integrity, and sovereignty."

He pointed to the actions of the Lebanese government, saying: "From a practical perspective, the Government of Lebanon has banned (the Lebanese group) Hezbollah. It's taking action, is trying to take action against Hezbollah and their terrorist activities and their threats to Israel, and that is the purported justification for this invasion."

"So, we condemn it," he added.

Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2.

Lebanese authorities said at least 1,247 people have since been killed and 3,690 injured in Israeli attacks.