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

Translink sees jump in ridership

Translink sees jump in ridership
A report compiled for TransLink -- Metro Vancouver's transportation network -- shows ridership has jumped 20 per cent or more in all areas over the past year. The report says overcrowding is approaching pre-pandemic levels -- especially in regions including Richmond, Surrey, Delta, White Rock and Langley.

Translink sees jump in ridership

Multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 3 claims one life

Multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 3 claims one life
At least one person has been killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 3 east of Cranbrook. The collision happened at around 7 a.m. and it has completely closed that stretch of Highway 3 while an investigation is underway.

Multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 3 claims one life

ICBC has new offer for drivers

ICBC has new offer for drivers
The Insurance Corporation of B-C says more than half of motorists in this province support discounts for those who don't drive much, so it has created a package offering new savings to those with mileage under 10-thousand kilometres per year.  

ICBC has new offer for drivers

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says the bulk of the money will be shared equally between the First Nations Fisheries Council and the Pacific Salmon Foundation as the organizations work to conserve and restore the fish.

B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon

Canada launches category-based selection for Express Entry candidates

Canada launches category-based selection for Express Entry candidates
This year, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have a strong French language proficiency, or work experience in fields like healthcare, agriculture and agri-food, STEM professions and trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors transport.

Canada launches category-based selection for Express Entry candidates

Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence

Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and representatives of the Toronto Raptors basketball team are set to discuss the plans today at an event in Toronto. The government says the goal of the national day is to raise awareness and foster a national discussion about the causes and effects of gun violence.

Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence