A Quebec resident died in Israel

Canadian Alexandre Look, 33, was one of the participants in the Universo Paralello Israel Edition music festival held in the desert near the Gaza Strip border to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. One of the first attacks by Hamas militants took place there on Saturday. Volunteers are now working on the festival grounds: they have found at least 260 bodies.

According to various estimates there were about 3-4 thousand people at the festival. Now among the confirmed victims there are foreign citizens, including Alexandre Look from Quebec. This was reported in social networks by his parents. During the attack, the man managed to call them, the connection was interrupted after the sounds of gunshots. The post with condolences was written by the Jewish community of Westmount, members of which are relatives of Look.

Reaction of the authorities

Provincial Premier Francois Legault expressed his condolences to the family:

"My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Quebecer Alexandre Look, who lost his life in one of the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel."

He also said that on Tuesday, October 10, the flag on the National Assembly building in Quebec City would be lowered "in memory of the civilian victims of the Hamas terrorist group's offensive in Israel."

The Canadian Foreign Ministry has not yet officially reported on the matter, but Melanie Joly said that they are verifying information about four citizens of the state: one killed and three missing. It is also known that one of them is from British Columbia.

The situation in Quebec and Canada in general

Canadian officials continue to show support for Israel, as do many Canadian citizens. At the same time, rallies by supporters of a free Palestine were held in various provinces. In particular, the day before the death of the Quebec native was confirmed, a march was also held in Westmount on the island of Montreal.

Some of the participants answered questions from journalists and said that for them these actions are a way to draw attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Those present expressed support for Palestinian civilians. Some said they were concerned that what was happening would make their situation even worse. According to the UN, the creation of the state of Israel more than 70 years ago led to the displacement of 700,000 Palestinians. In response to the Hamas invasion, Israel launched massive strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned Canadians expressing sympathy for the Palestinian side of the conflict:

"The glorification of violence is never acceptable in Canada – by any group or in any situation. I strongly condemn the demonstrations that have taken place, and are taking place, across the country in support of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Let’s stand united against acts of terror."

Casualty figures for both sides

So far, 800 Israeli deaths and 2,400 injured are known. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports 687 casualties in the Gaza Strip and 2,751 injured. Foreign embassies are gradually confirming information about their citizens on the territory of the conflict. Thus, in addition to Canada, 11 dead Americans were reported by the United States, and at least one by Russia. According to a Reuters source in Hamas, among the 150 hostages there are dozens of people with dual citizenship, including Russians.