A Montrealer of Jewish descent died in the deadly Hamas attack in Israel near the Gaza Strip.
Published at 11:31 am. Updated at 11:41 a.m
“Like a true warrior, he walked like a hero to protect the people he was with. “Alex was a force of nature, endowed with unique charisma and unparalleled generosity,” his father Alain Haim told Look on Facebook.
Alexandre Look, whose parents live in Westmount, was visiting Israel, the Chabad of Westmount Educational Center said Monday morning.
“He died in one of the terrorist attacks while heroically and selflessly saving the lives of others while repelling the attackers,” the organization said in a Facebook post. “We join our brothers and sisters in Westmount and around the world in mourning the devastation that has befallen our people and our country. »
Global Affairs Canada said Sunday it had learned of the death of a Canadian following the Hamas attack in Israel. Two other Canadians are currently missing.
“Canadian government officials in Israel are in contact with local authorities to confirm this information and gather additional information,” Global Affairs Canada said by email.
More than a thousand Canadians in Israel
There are currently 1,419 Canadians registered with the Registration Service for Canadians Abroad in the State of Israel and 492 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Since registration for this service is voluntary, “it does not provide a complete picture of Canadians abroad,” the ministry specifies.
All Canadian employees at the Canadian Embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv as well as the Canadian employees in Ramallah are safe and sound, the ministry confirmed.
Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel early Saturday morning. Thousands of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip and dozens of fighters entered the area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, vowing to impose an “unprecedented price.”
The Canadian government recommends avoiding all non-essential travel to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The borders with Syria, Egypt and Lebanon should also be avoided.