Global Affairs Canada informed it is mindful of information that one Canadian has died and two others are missing in the aftermath of an attack on Israel by Hamas militants, marking the newest escalation in the decades-long struggle.
In an update shared Sunday afternoon, the authority informed Canadian officials in Israel are in connection with local establishments in a determination to confirm that information and gather more evidence.
Global Affairs Canada says there are presently 1,419 listed Canadians in Israel and 492 in the Palestinian regions of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but notified that such registering is voluntary and delivers an inadequate picture of Canadians abroad.
The agency did not stipulate whether the informed death and the two Canadians alleged to be missing had been recorded in Israel or the Palestinian territories.
Saturday morning, Hamas troops initiated an unforeseen attack in Israel that has left minimum 700 individuals dead together with 44 soldiers, officials state. The attack has also included the kidnapping of soldiers and civilians.
Israel struck back by increasing its offensive of the Gaza Strip, striking more than 800 marks as well as residential buildings.
In excess than 400 individuals have been killed in Gaza, the Gaza Health Ministry alleged, including 78 children and 41 women. Thousands have been wounded on both sides.
Israeli officials said forces have killed 400 fighters and seized dozens more.
Hamas informed the outbreak is in reply to Palestinian grief under Israel’s occupation and violence against those living in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli administration has specified that it is at war, giving the green light for “substantial military phases” to retort to the attack.
As of Sunday, Global Affairs Canada said it has answered to 429 inquiries since the instigation of the war associated to travel guidance and advisories for Israel and Gaza, the position of the airport and flights, the general security condition and possibilities for leaving the country.
Canadian officials have criticized the attack by Hamas, with Prime Minister Trudeau saying in a report on Sunday that, “Canada explicitly condemns these dreadful attacks in the strongest possible terms and confirms its support for Israel’s right to protect itself, in accordance with universal law.
A call for the abrupt release of those being held captive and request they be treated in unity with international law. We will endure to monitor the condition closely, and we are in touch with our global partners to reestablish peace and safety in the region. We must all work to protect civilian life.
Clips forwarded on social media in the aftermath of the attack displayed unnamed hostages being marched through Gaza in cars and pickup trucks.
Amongst the captives, acknowledged by friends and colleagues, is alleged to be a Canadian Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver.
She was seemingly taken as Hamas militants arrived at the community Be’eri on Israel’s boundary with Gaza. Silver, who is initially from Winnipeg, has operated closely with Palestinians and Israelis for years. She assisted to create a society called Women Wage Peace, which intend to bring together Palestinian and Israeli women to believe a mutually obligatory non-violent agreement to end the conflict.
“I hope that both sides understand that nothing will originate out of war, other than constant devastation,” Silver was mentioned as saying in a 2021 Forbes article, “and that if our heads care about their people, then they have to change the model.”
Hamas influential claim that they have taken hostage in excess of 130 people from inside Israel, and that these hostages are proposed to be exchanged for the release of thousands of Palestinians captive by Israel, The Associated Press reports. The Israeli military has not established this exact number, but said the extent of captives is “substantial.”
A B.C. man, Ben Mizrachi, has also been informed missing in Israel.
There are reports of numerous international captives from Brazil and Mexico. British and American authorities are also exploring claims.
Air Canada has suspended flights between Tel Aviv and airports in Toronto and Montreal. Global Affairs says other major airlines have also suspended flight service.
