Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip

Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Feb, 2024 12:08 PM
  • Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip

Ottawa says it is aware of reports that another Canadian citizen has gone missing in the Gaza Strip.

Global Affairs Canada says it is providing consular assistance to the family but can't share more because of privacy considerations. 

The Associated Press reports that Israeli forces detained two young adult American brothers and their Canadian father in Gaza in an overnight raid.

Relatives of the men say they were taken from their home.

A U.S. Embassy official in Jerusalem reached by telephone from Washington said American officials were aware of the situation and were following up with Israeli authorities.

The embassy official gave no details and ended the call without giving her name, while the Israeli foreign ministry and military had no immediate comment.

Borak Alagha, 18, and Hashem Alagha, 20, two brothers born in the Chicago area, are among fewer than 50 U.S. citizens known to still be trying to leave sealed-off Gaza, as the Israel-Hamas war entered its fifth month.

Cousin Yasmeen Elagha, a law student at Northwestern University, said Israeli forces entered the family home in the community of al-Muwasi, near the southern city of Khan Younis, around 5 a.m. Gaza time Thursday.

The soldiers tied up and blindfolded the women and children in the family, and placed them outside the home, the cousin said.

The two American brothers, their Canadian citizen father, a mentally disabled uncle and two other adult male relatives were taken away by the Israelis, and remain missing, Elagha said.

Men of a neighboring household were also taken away. So were other adult male relatives of another Alagha household, for a total of about 20 detained, the U.S. cousin said.

A family social media account from Gaza also described the detentions.

State Department spokespeople in Washington had no immediate comment on the reported detention of the American brothers.

The brothers would be among three American citizens taken into custody by Israeli forces this week, during the same time Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the region to try to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release deal with ally Israel and regional Arab leaders.

MORE National ARTICLES

Fatal fire in North Vancouver

Fatal fire in North Vancouver
Mounties and firefighters in North Vancouver say one person died in a house fire in the city. The North Vancouver R-C-M-P and the city's fire department say they are investigating Friday's blaze in the 400-block of Queensbury Avenue.  

Fatal fire in North Vancouver

B.C. officials push back on safe supply critics, seeing 'no sign' drugs are diverted

B.C. officials push back on safe supply critics, seeing 'no sign' drugs are diverted
B.C.'s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe — who joined Charlesworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry at a news briefing — says toxicology tests show hydromorphone hasn't been present in any significant number of deaths.

B.C. officials push back on safe supply critics, seeing 'no sign' drugs are diverted

Uber operational in Victoria & Kelowna tomorrow

Uber operational in Victoria & Kelowna tomorrow
Residents in Victoria and Kelowna will be able to catch a ride with Uber starting tomorrow. The ride-hailing giant says service will go live at noon for the two major B-C cities after years of trying to get into the market.  

Uber operational in Victoria & Kelowna tomorrow

Targeting retail theft leads to 26 arrests, thousands in stolen merchandise

Targeting retail theft leads to 26 arrests, thousands in stolen merchandise
In one day, police made 26 arrests, including executing five arrest warrants, and recommended 15 criminal charges. Over $5,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered including, food, clothing, electronics, and cosmetics. 

Targeting retail theft leads to 26 arrests, thousands in stolen merchandise

India among top actors for foreign interference in Canada: national security adviser

India among top actors for foreign interference in Canada: national security adviser
Federal agencies have in recent years warned that India may try to influence communities in Canada, and Thomas's predecessor suggested rogue elements in the Indian government sought to embarrass Trudeau during his visit that year.

India among top actors for foreign interference in Canada: national security adviser

Motorcyclist dies in Abbotsford collision

Motorcyclist dies in Abbotsford collision
The 21-year-old female driver of the car sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is cooperating with police. Speed is believed to be a factor in the collision.

Motorcyclist dies in Abbotsford collision