Close X
Sunday, September 22, 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

Premier David Eby marks Transgender Day of Remembrance in BC

Premier David Eby marks Transgender Day of Remembrance in BC
B-C Premier David Eby is marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance with a statement promising to recommit to the fight against transphobia and other hate-driven violence. Eby says the province is raising the transgender flag on the legislature lawn today in support of the community.

Premier David Eby marks Transgender Day of Remembrance in BC

Did you lose half a kilogram of cocaine? Police in B.C. would like to help

Did you lose half a kilogram of cocaine? Police in B.C. would like to help
Police in Mission say they are seeking the owner of half a kilogram of cocaine that was hidden in a public restroom's ceiling and anyone who wants to claim the drugs should bring "proof of purchase." RCMP Cpl. Harrison Mohr says officers will be happy to set up an interview at the owner's convenience.

Did you lose half a kilogram of cocaine? Police in B.C. would like to help

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing
Brenda Locke, who opposes the transition, says an amended court petition will be filed today, after the city already requested a judicial review of the province's directive to proceed with the switch away from the RCMP. 

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh blasts Trudeau, Poilievre at B.C. convention

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh blasts Trudeau, Poilievre at B.C. convention
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost touch with the struggles of Canadians, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre only pretends to care about regular people, federal New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said Sunday. Singh took political swings at his two leadership counterparts during a speech to more than 700 delegates attending the British Columbia NDP convention.  

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh blasts Trudeau, Poilievre at B.C. convention

Some nurse practitioners in Canada not being paid for administering MAID

Some nurse practitioners in Canada not being paid for administering MAID
She has a full-time nursing job and a side gig offering virtual care, and in the evenings and on weekends, assesses patients for medical assistance in dying — known as MAID — and delivers the procedure. Like many provinces, Ontario does not have a mechanism for nurse practitioners to take on independent work and be paid for it, like a fee-for-service structure often in place for doctors.  

Some nurse practitioners in Canada not being paid for administering MAID

No word on status of 135 Canadians cleared to leave Gaza Strip over weekend

No word on status of 135 Canadians cleared to leave Gaza Strip over weekend
Meanwhile, Canadians with loved ones trapped in Gaza are still waiting to learn whether anyone connected to Canada was able to make the journey into Egypt via the Rafah land crossing over the weekend.

No word on status of 135 Canadians cleared to leave Gaza Strip over weekend