Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Canadian National Killed in Israeli Attacks on Lebanon


(MENAFN) Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed Monday the death of a Canadian national in southern Lebanon, calling on Israel to immediately halt its military strikes against the country.

"Today, I was made aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in southern Lebanon," Anand said in an official statement, offering condolences to the victim's family and community.

Canadian consular officials are actively engaged with the victim's family to provide support, she added.

Anand reaffirmed Ottawa's backing for Beirut's sovereignty, stating: "Canada firmly supports the Lebanese government's efforts to restore and exercise full state authority, including through the disarmament of Hezbollah."

"We call on Israel to cease its attacks and encourage Israel and Lebanon to reach a durable, diplomatic solution to end the conflict," she added.

The minister did not name the victim or publicly assign blame for the killing.

A Canadian public broadcaster, identified the victim as Mohamad Hassan Haidar, 38, an Ontario resident and father of five, who was fatally struck by a drone while attempting to assist another person. The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) directly attributed his death to an Israeli strike.

The toll in Lebanon continues to mount. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported Monday that 34 additional deaths and 174 injuries were recorded in the preceding 24 hours alone, pushing the cumulative death toll since March 2 to 2,089, with a further 6,762 wounded.

Israel has broadened its air and ground campaign across Lebanon following a cross-border Hezbollah assault on March 2, itself linked to deepening regional tensions stemming from the US-Israeli war against Iran, which erupted on Feb. 28.

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