Montreal man among those killed in attack on Israel by Hamas militants, family says

A Montreal couple says their son was among the victims of an attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend.

In a message on social media, Alain Haim Look says his son Alexandre Look was killed on Saturday in Israel, while trying to save those around him.

“Like a true warrior, he left like a hero wanting to protect the people he was with,” Look wrote on Facebook.

He describes his son as “a force of nature with unique charisma and unparalleled generosity.”

“The world will never be the same without you,” continued the father’s post.

Speaking to Radio-Canada on Monday, Look and his wife, Raquel Ohnona Look, recounted how they “experienced (their) son’s death live”. They pointed out that he was taking part in an outdoor music festival with other young people.

Before he was killed, Alexandre had managed to find refuge with friends and make a video call to his parents to inform them of the situation.

“At one point, I heard gunshots, and I couldn’t hear our son’s voice anymore,” Ohnona Look told host Patrice Roy.

Confirmation of the worst came to the parents the next morning, when a friend of Alexandre’s called to tell them the news.

“He confirmed to us that Alexandre had placed himself as a barrier for others. He even tried to fight a terrorist,” said his mother.

“It’s important for the world to know that there are innocent people like Alexandre, who are on vacation and not in the military, who are being brutally gunned down,” the parents said.

A spokeswoman for the Chabad Educational Centre in Westmount said she knew Alexandre’s parents, who are part of the center’s community.

Devorah Shanowitz, the center’s director of education, says the center’s rabbis have visited the family and the organization has launched an emergency fund to support them during this difficult time.

In a statement updated Sunday evening, Global Affairs Canada said it was aware of the death of one Canadian in the fighting and the disappearance of three others. However, the federal agency did not reveal the identity of the Canadian who lost his life.

The attack by Hamas and Israel’s response have left more than 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.

Politicians express their condolences

On social media, Quebec Premier François Legault said he was “saddened by the dramatic circumstances” of the 33-year-old’s death. “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Quebecer Alexandre Look,” he wrote.

“We were saddened to learn of the death of Montrealer Alexandre Look following the terrorist attacks in Israel. My sincere sympathies to his loved ones, as well as to those of too many civilian victims. Montreal stands in solidarity with Jewish communities here and elsewhere,” posted Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.

The interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Marc Tanguay, posted: “My thoughts are with the family of Alexandre Look, who was present at the Supernova music festival in Israel at the time of the Hamas terrorist attack. Peace is more precious than ever in these dark times.”

His colleague in D’Arcy-McGee with the provincial Liberal party, Elisabeth Prass, said her “heart breaks for all the victims and their families in this horrible tragedy”, pointing out that Alexandre was “one of our fellow citizens, originally from Côte-Saint-Luc”. “This is devastating for our community. My heart goes out to his family, and I offer them all the help I can provide,” she wrote.

Mes pensées vont à la famille et aux proches du Québécois Alexandre Look qui a perdu la vie dans une des attaques terroristes du Hamas en Israël. Je suis attristé par les circonstances dramatiques de son décès, lui qui n'avait que 33 ans.

— François Legault (@francoislegault) October 9, 2023

Nous avons appris avec tristesse le décès du Montréalais Alexandre Look à la suite des attaques terroristes en Israël. Mes sincères sympathies à ses proches, ainsi qu’à ceux des trop nombreuses victimes civiles. Montréal est solidaire des communautés juives d’ici et d’ailleurs.

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) October 10, 2023

“On behalf of Québec solidaire and myself, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alexandre Look, the Quebec victim of the attack on the Supernova festival,” wrote Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. “So many innocent lives lost, what sadness…”

Condemnation from the Prime Minister

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre both took part in a rally in support of Israel on Monday evening at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in Ottawa.

Canada unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas,” said Trudeau. “We stand in solidarity with Israel and reiterate our support for Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law.”

Trudeau and Poilievre reiterated that Hamas is a terrorist organization and that no one in Canada should support them, let alone celebrate them.

Pro-Palestine demonstrations took place in several cities across the country on Monday. Demonstrators gathered in front of Toronto City Hall, waving Palestinian flags. A similar rally took place in Montreal on Sunday.

“Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people, it does not speak for Muslims, and it certainly does not speak for Canadians. That’s why I unreservedly condemn all those who took part in the disgusting celebrations we saw on our streets,” said Poilievre to the applause of the crowd gathered at the community center.

The evening was punctuated by prayers, songs and testimonials. Several people in the audience held placards with names on them.

Trudeau called for the hostages’ release. “We demand that they be treated in accordance with international law,” he added.

Hamas has pledged to kill captured Israelis if Israel’s retaliation against the Gaza Strip targets civilians without warning.

Half-masting

The Hamas attack and Israel’s response have already left more than 1,100 people dead and thousands injured on both sides.

On Monday morning, the flags at Montreal City Hall were lowered to half-mast “in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks and violence in Israel”, Mayor Plante posted on social media.

In the evening, Niagara Falls was lit up in blue and white in memory of the victims of Hamas and to underline “the strength and perseverance of the Jewish people”, said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. A rally is also planned in Toronto.

Les drapeaux de l’hôtel de ville de Montréal sont mis en berne à la mémoire des victimes des attaques terroristes et des violences en Israël. pic.twitter.com/ppRia3dTgR

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) October 9, 2023

J’ai demandé à ce que le drapeau du Québec soit mis en berne demain, de l'aube au crépuscule, sur la tour centrale de l’@Assnatqc en mémoire des victimes civiles de l’offensive du groupe terroriste Hamas en Israël. Nous sommes de tout cœur avec la communauté juive du Qc.

— François Legault (@francoislegault) October 9, 2023

On Tuesday, the fleurdelisé will be flown at half-mast on the central tower of the National Assembly “from dawn to dusk”, announced Quebec National Assembly President Nathalie Roy and Premier Legault in a joint press release.

According to Global Affairs Canada, “there are currently 2,450 Canadians registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service in Israel and 480 Canadians in the Palestinian territories”.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French and translated by CityNews Montreal – Oct. 9, 2023.

— With files from The Associated Press

The Canadian Press