The family of an Israeli-Canadian woman missing since Hamas militants attacked a music festival in southern Israel last Saturday are grappling with the heartbreaking news of her death.
Published at 10:13 am. Updated at 4:43 p.m
Shir Georgy’s aunt, Michal Bouganim, revealed that the 22-year-old was killed by Hamas in the attack on the festival near Kibbutz Re’im.
“We are currently in a difficult situation and are heartbroken,” Ms Bouganim said on Instagram. Ms Bouganim shared a post today saying the family had “received the terrible news”.
Ms. Georgy is the fourth Canadian person to die in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Ms Georgy, who has dual Israeli and Canadian citizenship, was attending the Supernova music festival in the Negev Desert – a region bordering the Gaza Strip – on October 7, when Hamas gunmen attacked revelers.
In a 22-second video posted online by Ms Bouganim, Ms Georgy can be seen sitting frightened among other festival attendees – some of whom are injured – as they hide in a small room.
Valeri Mesasof, a cousin of Ms Georgy’s mother, said she had been in contact with the family and it had been difficult for her.
“I spoke to the mother and father [de Mme Georgy] said Valeri Mesasof, who lives in Miami, as she cried on the phone.
“They are not doing very well and that is unbelievable,” Ms Menasof said. Ms. Georgy has two younger brothers and family in Israel.
Hamas militants launched the deadly attack last weekend that killed hundreds of people in Israel, including at the open-air festival. Israel responded with airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, which has been controlled by Hamas since 2007, and by cutting off access to water and electricity in the area.
Hamas said the attack was in response to the deteriorating living conditions of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
The Israeli army has urged more than a million people in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate the area, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Friday to destroy Hamas.
Ms. Menasof explained that Ms. Georgy had recently completed her service in the Israeli army and was eager to begin a new phase of her life.
“She enjoyed life after the army like everyone else,” she said. She went to the party because she wanted to celebrate with her friends. »
Ms. Menasof said Ms. Georgy spent a few days with her family in the United States earlier this year and they had planned to meet in Israel next summer.
“She was a girl who loved life. She loved people [et] “I was happy to help them,” Ms. Menasof said.
“Everyone loved him. She was a flower and her smile radiated happiness. »
Ms Georgy’s funeral was due to take place in Israel later on Saturday.