At Least Seven Canadians Killed in Hamas Attacks in Israel: Vivian Silver, Tiferet Lapidot, Netta Epstein, Shir Georgy, Adi Vital-Kaploun, Ben Mizrachi, Alexandre Look

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Friends, family, and government officials have tragically confirmed that at least seven Canadians lost their lives in the series of attacks conducted by Hamas militants in Israel on October 7th. Additionally, Global Affairs Canada has stated that an eighth individual, who had strong ties to Canada but was not a citizen, also perished in the attacks. The conflict, which was sparked by the Hamas assaults and has intensified with Israel’s retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people thus far.

Among the victims was Vivian Silver, a 74-year-old woman who was in her home on Kibbutz Be’eri near the Gaza border when the incursion occurred. Vivian was on the phone with her son, Yonatan Zeigen, when they both realized the gravity of the situation. Zeigen later recounted in a news conference organized by the Jerusalem Press Club that they began to say their goodbyes, as they believed their conversation might be their last. They switched to text messages so that Vivian could remain silent, but unfortunately, someone broke into her home, and the messages abruptly ceased. Zeigen received information indicating that his mother had been taken hostage, and her phone had been traced to Gaza. On Monday, Vivian’s death was confirmed by her other son, Chen Zeigen. Born in Winnipeg, Vivian moved to Israel in 1974 and dedicated her life to promoting peace and fostering understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. She also volunteered to assist children in Gaza in accessing medical care in Israel.

Tiferet Lapidot, a 22-year-old Israeli citizen with Canadian roots, was also among those killed in the Hamas attack. Just days away from her 23rd birthday, Tiferet was attending a music festival when the assault began. According to her cousin Oran Zlotnik, Tiferet was a charismatic and compassionate individual who had traveled extensively, taught in Africa, and spent time in Australia before returning to Israel. She contacted her mother on the morning of the attack, hiding in a bush and seeking advice on whether to flee. Her cellphone was later tracked to the Gaza Strip, causing her family to fear that she had been taken hostage. However, when the cell phone of one of Tiferet’s confirmed deceased friends was also traced to Gaza, the family began to suspect that she may have been killed. Tiferet’s body was subsequently identified, and her family held a funeral to bid her farewell.

Netta Epstein, a 21-year-old Israeli-Canadian, lost his life when his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza came under attack. His mother, Ayelet Shachar-Epstein, learned about the circumstances of his death from text messages he sent her moments before he was killed. Netta was inside a safe room with his fiancée, Irene Shavit, when the attackers threw a grenade inside. In a selfless act, Netta jumped on the grenade, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. Ayelet Shachar-Epstein, who also lost her mother-in-law and two brothers-in-law in the attacks, described the invasion as an act of terrorism. Netta, who was born in Montreal and held Canadian citizenship, had returned home two months prior after completing his military service. He was remembered as a vibrant individual who loved life.

Shir Georgy, a 22-year-old Israeli Canadian, was another victim of the Hamas militants who ambushed the music festival near Kibbutz Re’im. Her aunt, Michal Bouganim, confirmed her tragic death and expressed the family’s heartbreak. Bouganim shared a harrowing 22-second video on her social media, showing Shir sitting on the floor, surrounded by injured festival attendees. The family held a funeral for Shir in Israel, mourning the loss of their beloved relative.

Adi Vital-Kaploun, a 33-year-old dual citizen, was killed by Hamas militants in her kibbutz near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, according to the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. Her family issued a statement through the group’s CEO, describing her as a hero who managed to convince her killers to spare her two young children and warned her father and husband to stay hidden during the attack. Adi was remembered as a beautiful woman who brought love and lightness to those around her. She was also a talented dancer, saxophonist, and basketball player. After completing her master’s degree in engineering, Adi excelled in her career in cybersecurity. The family expressed their grief and condemned the act of terrorism that took Adi’s life.

Ben Mizrachi, a 22-year-old Canadian hailing from Vancouver, was among the at least 260 people gunned down by Hamas militants at the music festival in southern Israel. Described as “larger than life with a big personality,” Ben was about to begin university in Israel after serving in the country’s national defense force. His former high school in British Columbia released a statement expressing their sorrow and remembering Ben as a kind and community-minded young man who had a positive impact on those around him.

Alexandre Look, who had recently celebrated his 33rd birthday, was another victim of the music festival attack. Alexandre, who originally lived in Montreal with his family before moving to Mexico, was hailed as a hero by his father in a heartfelt Facebook post. According to his friend Lior Horovitz, Alexandre was a once-in-a-lifetime person who became like family during their five-year friendship. Alexandre, a proud Jewish Canadian, was known for his generosity and willingness to help others, especially if they were Jewish.

As the families and friends of the victims mourn their devastating loss, the international community is left grappling with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Canadian government has expressed its condolences and offered support to the affected families. This report by The Canadian Press serves as a reminder of the human toll and the profound impact of such acts of violence..