What We Know About the Canadians Killed or Kidnapped in the Attacks on Israel

People attend a rally in support of Israel in Toronto, on Oct. 9, 2023. The Canadian Press/Jessica Lee

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the deaths and disappearances of several Canadians in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Global Affairs said in an emailed statement on Oct. 10 that it is aware of reports indicating that two Canadians have lost their lives due to the Hamas attack, with three others reported missing.

The ministry said there are currently over 3,200 Canadians who have registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad in Israel, and 478 registered in the Palestinian territories. It encouraged all Canadians in the affected region to register so as to receive up-to-date information.

“Canadian government officials in Israel are in contact with local authorities to confirm and gather additional information,” the statement said.

Vancouver resident Ben Mizrachi was reported missing in the aftermath of the Hamas attack during a music festival on Oct. 7 near Israel’s border with Gaza, an area under Hamas control. He has now been confirmed as deceased.

Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal MP for Vancouver Granville where Mr. Mizrachi resided, confirmed the tragic news on Oct. 10.

“A wonderful young man from my riding–Ben Mizrachi–was found amongst those murdered by Hamas terrorists,” Mr. Noormohamed stated on X, expressing his condolences to the family. Mr. Mizrachi’s parents had reportedly flown to Israel to look for him.

His disappearance was first announced by his alma mater, Vancouver’s King David High School, on Oct. 7, breaking the Jewish Shabbat tradition of non-communication. In the wake of the 22-year-old’s death, the Head of School, Russ Klein, issued a statement conveying his sorrow. He noted that Mr. Mizrachi was serving in the Israel Defense Forces and was gunned down at the festival.

Mr. Mizrachi is the second Canadian known to have fallen victim in the attack.

On Oct. 7, Quebec resident Alain Haim Look shared on Facebook that his son had lost his life at the same music festival while trying to protect others.“He left us today in Israel, following a terrorist attack,” Mr. Look wrote. “Like a real warrior, he left like a hero in wanting to protect the people he was with.”

Global Affairs noted that its missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah remain open, with officials continuing to provide emergency consular assistance to affected Canadians. Canadian officials in Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon are also lending their support.

Among the missing Canadians, one individual is believed to be Vivian Silver, a 74-year-old Canadian-Israeli from Winnipeg, as indicated by Irwin Cotler, a former justice minister and attorney general, now serving as a McGill law professor emeritus.

He said that Ms. Silver was forcibly taken from her home in Kibbutz Be'eri in Israel and is currently being held captive in Gaza. He denounced this act as “yet another heinous Hamas war crime” in a post on X on Oct. 8.

Mr. Cotler described Ms. Silver as a “Canadian-Israeli peace activist and humanitarian,” highlighting her contributions in assisting Palestinian civilians and facilitating medical treatment for ailing children in Gaza.

Marnie Cathcart contributed to this report.