A young Vancouver man is the second Canadian reported dead in Israel following a Saturday (Oct. 7) attack by Hamas militants on the country amid worsening Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ben Mizrachi, 22, was gunned down while attending a music festival, according to a social media post by the Jewish high school he attended in Vancouver.
sa国际传媒淏en was larger than life, with a big personality that matched his size. He was full of joy, had a smile for everyone, and was always there to help. Ben was a friend to everyone and was so proud of his service in the IDF,sa国际传媒� King David High Schoolsa国际传媒檚 head of school Russ Klein said in the post.
Israeli men are required to serve in the IDF, or Israel Defense Forces, usually for a minimum of 32 months.
sa国际传媒淥ne of my fondest memories is being with Ben on the King David Grade 8 trip to Israel ten years ago, watching him daven at sunrise atop Masada, wearing his Kevin Bieksa Canucks Jersey,sa国际传媒� Klein said.
Vancouver-Granville MP Taleeb Noormohamed also mourned Mizrachisa国际传媒檚 death on social media.
sa国际传媒淎 wonderful young man from my riding of #VanGran sa国际传媒� Ben Mizrachi sa国际传媒� was found amongst those murdered by Hamas terrorists,sa国际传媒� Noormohamed said. sa国际传媒淢y heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family, his friends, loved ones and the community.sa国际传媒�
About 3,500 young Israelis were attending the open-air Tribe of Nova music festival in southern Israel near the Gaza border on Saturday night when Hamas militants broke through the countrysa国际传媒檚 separation fence and open fired. At least 260 of the festival-goers are believed to have died and an unknown number have been taken hostage.
Hundreds more people were killed elsewhere in the country, as well. The Israeli military said more than 900 people have died in Israel as of Tuesday. And, as Israeli forces have retaliated, hundreds of Palestinians and others have been killed in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Authorities there said 765 people have been killed.
Mizrachi is the second Canadian reported to be killed at the music festival. A 33-year-old Montreal man named Alexandre Look was the first. Global Affairs Canada said it is aware of three other Canadians who have been reported missing.
The government department said there are more than 3,234 citizens registered as Canadians abroad in Israel and 478 Canadians registered in Palestinian Territories. The numbers donsa国际传媒檛 capture citizens who have not registered with Global Affairs.
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sa国际传媒� with files from The Associated Press
