Global Affairs Canada confirms that five Canadians have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, while three others are missing.
“Unfortunately, the death of a missing Canadian has been confirmed and we have had confirmation of another death,” said Julie Sunday, assistant deputy minister, consular affairs, security and tourism management. emergencies from Global Affairs Canada during a technical briefing Sunday morning.
The ministry has not confirmed the identities of these people. “We are currently focused on the cases of the three missing people, who we continue to try to locate and bring safely back to Canada,” added Ms.me Sunday.
Several Canadians were at a techno music festival in southern Israel when it fell victim to the Hamas attack, as were 260 other festival-goers. Ben Mizrachi, 22, of Vancouver, Alexandre Look, 33 of Montreal and Shir Georgy, 22, all three died during the attack.
Adi Vital-Kaploun, a Canadian mother of two young children, was executed by Hamas terrorists. Hamas gunmen killed the 33-year-old woman at her home while storming Kibbutz Holit, near the border with the Gaza Strip.
Evacuation in progress
The operation to repatriate Canadians to Israel, which began Thursday, continues. Two flights, with 90 and 173 passengers, are planned for Sunday and two others should take place on Monday. In total, more than 1,000 passengers will have left Israel for Athens by the end of the day. Julie Sunday said evacuation flights will continue as long as there is demand.
However, Canadians trapped in the Gaza Strip have not yet been able to be evacuated. “Approximately 300 Canadian permanent residents and their families have asked us for help and assistance to leave Gaza,” said Mr.me Sunday.
Canada is trying to negotiate the passage of Canadians and their families caught in the Gaza Strip to Egypt, through the Rafah crossing point. “When a window is ready, it could be very short,” warned Mme Sunday. Canada is trying to stay in touch with families in Gaza by phone, “but it’s difficult because we know the electricity is out in the Gaza Strip so it’s difficult to get in touch with the people,” she said.
For Canadians caught in the West Bank, Canada is trying to “develop land transportation options to Jordan” or by bus. Mme Sunday said more details will be available in the coming days.
Furthermore, Canadians in southern Lebanon are being urged to leave. “Canadians who are already in Lebanon should ask themselves if they really need to be there,” she said.