Vancouver police deploy to Jewish places of worship after Israel-Gaza violence erupts

Police were stationed outside Jewish places of worship in Vancouver on Saturday, as community members gathered for a Shabbat marked by shock and mourning in the wake of the sudden outbreak of violence in the Middle East.

A conflict between Israeli forces and militants from Gaza erupted earlier in the day after Hamas, which rules the Palestinian territory, carried out multiple surprise attacks in Israeli territory. By the end of the day, both sides each reported more than 200 people dead. 

Although Vancouver Police Department told CBC News it is unaware of any specific threat to public safety locally, but said it would maintain a visible presence at Jewish places of worship and community centres as a precaution.

The move was reassuring, according to one Vancouver rabbi.

"Absolutely, we felt better when we saw police officers who were there to protect us and stand by our places of worship to allow us to pray in peace," said Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, senior clergy at Temple Sholom. "It just shouldn't be necessary."

Vancouver's Mayor Ken Sim said in a tweet, "Our hearts are with all those who have been impacted." The province's Premier, David Eby, "unequivocally" condemned Hamas for the attack.

Hamas gunmen stormed into into Israeli territory early Saturday morning, attacking as many as 22 locations outside the Palestinian enclave, which has been under blockade by Israel, killing and capturing civilians. 

In retaliation, Israel launched a series of airstrikes into Gaza, flattening several residential buildings, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared "war" and vowed that they would inflict an "unprecedented price."

Israel's national rescue service said at least 250 people were killed and 1,500 wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades. At least 232 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed and at least 1,700 wounded in Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

Hamas fighters took an unknown number of civilians and soldiers captive into Gaza — a deeply sensitive issue for Israel — in harrowing scenes posted on social media videos.

Ezra Shanken, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, said he learned of the attacks from a "red alert" app that provides rocket warnings for Israeli citizens.

"I knew at that point that we were dealing with something that was fundamentally different than what we have experienced before in the exchanges of hostilities between Hamas and Israel," he told CBC News. "I feel for everybody that is really being victimized on both sides of this thing.

"I've got people in this community that can't find their kids, that can't find their parents, that can't find people who are missing right now."

He says support and counselling is being made available and a fund has been set up for victims and their families. 

Rabbi Moskovitz said, politics of the long-simmering conflict aside, the important thing is to "pray for peace and for strength ... but also to bring light in the midst of darkness." 

Meanwhile, a rally in support of Palestinians is planned for Sunday at Main and Prior streets.

The pro-Palestinian advocacy group Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East issued a statement lamenting the loss of civilian lives.

"Canada must call on all parties to implement a ceasefire, including an immediate end to the brutal daily violence of Israel's military occupation," said the group's president Thomas Woodley.