Global Affairs Canada confirms that four Canadians are missing in connection with the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“Global Affairs Canada is aware of the deaths of three Canadians, as well as the disappearance of four other Canadians,” the federal agency said by email Thursday evening.
Adi Vital-Kaploun, a Canadian mother of two children, is one of three Canadian victims already identified. She was executed by Hamas terrorists. The family of this 33-year-old woman, who resided in Israel, mourns this “warm soul”, but takes comfort in the fact that her children are safe and sound.
The other two victims are Alexandre Look, a 33-year-old Montrealer who “left as a hero” by protecting other people, according to his father. Ben Mizrachi, a 22-year-old British Columbia man, was also murdered.
The two men were attending an outdoor concert in southern Israel when Hamas attacked.
Among the missing Canadians is Vivian Silver. At the time of her disappearance, she was hiding behind a cupboard in her shelter on a kibbutz in Berri, 4 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, according to information from a friend provided to several Canadian media. Mme Silver had been involved with the Israeli peace movement Women Wage Peace for eight years.
The other unfound Canadian, Tiferet Lapidot, was reportedly taken hostage by Hamas.
There are currently more than 5,685 Canadians registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad in Israel and 465 Canadians registered in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Global Affairs Canada said by email.
“Canada is actively working to assist the departure of Canadians, permanent residents and their eligible family members from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport to Athens, with the support of Canadian Armed Forces aircraft. Two CC-150 Polaris were assigned to the operation and began operating,” maintains the federal agency.
Two flights left Tel Aviv on Thursday. The first carried 120 Canadians and passengers of other nationalities, including Americans, Australians and Brazilians. Other flights are planned in the coming days.
“We are also working on additional options for those who cannot travel to Tel Aviv airport,” adds Global Affairs Canada.