Global Affairs Canada confirms that five Canadians have been killed and three others are missing in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Published at 12:50 p.m.
“Unfortunately, the death of a missing Canadian has been confirmed and we have received confirmation of an additional death,” said Julie Sunday, deputy minister of 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 individuals. “We are currently focused on the cases of the three missing people, who we continue to seek to locate and return safely to Canada,” Ms. Sunday added.
Several Canadians were at a techno music festival in southern Israel when it fell victim to the Hamas attack, as did 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 in her home when they stormed Kibbutz Holit near the Gaza border.
Evacuation is underway
The operation to return Canadians to Israel, which began Thursday, continues. Two flights with 90 and 173 passengers are planned for Sunday, and two more are scheduled to 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 would continue as long as there was demand.
However, the Canadians stuck in the Gaza Strip have not yet been evacuated. “Approximately 300 Canadian permanent residents and their families have asked us for help and support in leaving Gaza,” Ms. Sunday said.
For Canadians trapped in the West Bank, Global Affairs Canada says it is continuing to develop “transportation options to Jordan by land” or by bus. “Our missions in Ramallah and Jordan are preparing to support this movement across the border,” assured Ms. Sunday, adding that more details will be announced in the coming days.
In addition, Canadians in southern Lebanon are being asked to leave the country. “Canadians already in Lebanon should ask themselves whether they really need to be there,” she said.