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Anniversary of Gaza war marks 3 years of pain for Canadians with ties to Middle East
Families say the war has killed Canadians, blocked exits from Gaza and left some relatives waiting years for visas and reunification.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, marks the third anniversary of the war in the Gaza Strip, as Canadians with ties to the region navigate three years of grief, humanitarian crises, and uncertainty regarding loved ones trapped abroad.
Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel three years ago, triggering a war that has killed more than 75,000 people in the Gaza Strip while creating widespread humanitarian suffering and regional instability.
Canadian Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old infantry veteran, was killed in an Israeli airstrike while working for World Central Kitchen; his mother, Sylvie Labrecque, said he "enjoyed very much to go work for these types of missions."
Edmonton resident Abusalim remains separated from her husband in Gaza, saying "My husband was starving, literally starving." The Immigration Department has stalled his visa by requiring biometric screening impossible to complete there.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand pledged to press for accountability after Israel's military prosecutor declined a criminal investigation, though critics fear Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has little incentive to address these concerns.