War between Israel, Hamas terrifying to watch unfold for Londoners with loved ones in region
Rallies were held across Canada, including in London, involving people on both sides of the conflict
As the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip escalates, Londoners with ties to the region worry for family back home and say they're praying for a swift end to the killing.
"No one really wants war. It's the worst thing that anyone can experience. I'm so worried. I just keep imagining that maybe I'm going to hear that the whole family is dead. I'm afraid that if this continues so many more will die," said Sahar Adnan, who emigrated to Canada five years ago but has parents and siblings living in Gaza, as well as her husband's family.
"The last couple of days are really, really stressful. There's nothing to do but just pray for them."
Adnan was one of almost 1,000 people, according to London Police, who were in Victoria Park and walking through downtown Monday afternoon. Roads around the park were blocked off to accommodate the large group.
"A lot of civilians have been killed and if it continues a lot more will die," she said.
The Israeli government has formally declared war after Hamas fighters unleashed a barrage of rockets and infiltrated southern Israeli towns Saturday during an unprecedented incursion from the Palestinian territory.
Israeli military forces launched air attacks on the Gaza Strip over the weekend and said on Monday it was driving Hamas fighters out of communities.
The death toll continued to rise on the third day of the war, with Palestinian militant groups reportedly holding more than 130 hostages taken from the Israeli side. Hamas pledged to kill captured Israelis if attacks targeted civilians without warnings.
Rob Nagus, the executive director of Jewish London, said he's been trying to calm the fears of people who have family in Israel and whose family and friends are being called up to the army.
"I think that people are in a state of shock and that people are tired and scared," he said. "Here in London we have a lot of families who come from Israel or who have close connections to Israel. People are desperately trying to reach their families to make sure that everyone is safe."
Jewish London is holding a community gathering on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Centre for people to come together and support one another, Nagus said.
Home to some two million people — many of them Palestinian — the Gaza Strip has been run by Hamas since it seized control of the territory in 2007. However, an independent UN Human Rights commission last year found Israel has continued to occupy Gaza despite disengaging in 2005, by effectively controlling movement in and out of its borders and the supply of essentials like water and electricity.
At the rally in Victoria Park, Hala Toman said the last three days have been difficult for her family who live in the territory.
"All of my dad's family is back home, so it's really scary to think about. We're lucky to be in contact with them. We're all scared."
Aranda Alshurafa said her nerves are shot thinking about the people back home. "We can't sleep. Every second I am afraid to open my phone to see if I have lost any family," she said, adding that her daughter-in-law is currently in Gaza.
Late Monday in response to rallies that took place across Canada, the prime minister posted to social media that the glorification of violence is never acceptable.
"I strongly condemn the demonstrations that have taken place, and are taking place, across the country in support of Hamas' attacks on Israel. Let's stand united against acts of terror," Justin Trudeau wrote.