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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Friends, family, and government officials are mourning the loss of at least seven Canadians who were killed in a series of attacks conducted by Hamas militants in Israel on October 7. Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that an eighth person, who had deep ties to Canada but was not a citizen, also died in the attacks. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated, resulting in thousands of deaths as Israel conducts retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip.
One of the victims, Vivian Silver, 74, was in her home on Kibbutz Be’eri near the Gaza border when she learned of the Hamas incursion into Israel. Silver was talking on the phone with her son, Yonatan Zeigen, at the time. Zeigen later recalled their conversation at a news conference organized by the Jerusalem Press Club, stating, “We couldn’t grasp the incapability of the Israeli army to defend the civilians… we started to say goodbye because we realized this is probably our last words to each other.” As someone broke into her home, Silver and Zeigen switched to text messages, allowing Silver to remain silent. The messages abruptly stopped, and Zeigen received information that his mother had been taken hostage, with her phone being geolocated in Gaza. On Monday, Zeigen’s brother confirmed their mother’s death, revealing that Israeli authorities had identified her remains.
Tiferet Lapidot, 22, was a few days away from her 23rd birthday when the Hamas attack began. She was attending a music festival at the time. Her cousin, Oran Zlotnik, described Lapidot as a charismatic and compassionate person who had traveled the world and taught in Africa before returning to Israel. Lapidot had called her mother on the morning of the attack, informing her that she was hiding in a bush and seeking guidance on whether to flee. Her cellphone was later tracked to the Gaza Strip, leading her family to believe she had been taken hostage. However, when the cellphone of one of Lapidot’s friends, who was confirmed deceased, was also traced to Gaza, the family realized she may have been killed. Lapidot’s body was subsequently identified, and a funeral was held in her honor. Although Lapidot was an Israeli citizen, her family has strong ties to Canada, including her father, Ohad, who was born in Saskatchewan.
Israeli-Canadian Netta Epstein, 21, was killed when his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza came under attack. His mother, Ayelet Shachar-Epstein, learned of his death through text messages he sent her just moments before he was killed. Epstein was inside a safe room with his fiancée, Irene Shavit, when they were targeted. In a heroic act, Epstein jumped on a grenade thrown by the attackers. Shachar-Epstein, who also lost her mother-in-law and two brothers-in-law in the attacks, described it as a terrorist invasion. Epstein, born in Montreal, was a Canadian citizen, and many members of his family still reside in the city.
Another victim, Shir Georgy, 22, was killed by Hamas militants who ambushed the music festival near Kibbutz Re’im. Georgy’s aunt, Michal Bouganim, confirmed her death, expressing the family’s heartbreak. A video clip shared by Bouganim on social media showed a terrified Georgy sitting on the floor, surrounded by other festival attendees. Georgy’s funeral took place in Israel.
Adi Vital-Kaploun, 33, was killed by Hamas militants in her kibbutz near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa confirmed her death, stating that Vital-Kaploun was a dual citizen with a large extended family in the Ottawa area. The family shared that she died a hero, convincing her killers to spare her two young children while warning her father and husband to stay hidden during the attack. Vital-Kaploun was described 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, she excelled in her cybersecurity career.
Ben Mizrachi, 22, from Vancouver, was one of the victims gunned down by Hamas militants at the music festival in southern Israel. Mizrachi was described as a larger-than-life individual with a big personality. He was about to start university in Israel after serving with the country’s national defense force. Mizrachi was remembered as a kind and community-minded young man who had a positive influence on those around him.
Alexandre Look, who recently celebrated his 33rd birthday, was also killed while attending the musical festival. Look, who had lived in Montreal with his family before moving to Mexico, was hailed as a hero by his father. According to his dad’s Facebook post, Look left as a hero, wanting to protect the people he was with. Look was known for his generosity and willingness to help others, especially those within the Jewish community.
As Canadians mourn the loss of these individuals, their families are left devastated by the tragic events. They will be remembered for their contributions to peacebuilding, their compassion, and their pursuit of a better world. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly met with the victims’ families during her visit to Israel, offering support on behalf of the Canadian government.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with devastating consequences for innocent lives. The international community must work towards finding a peaceful resolution and preventing further loss of life..
