Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand in Ottawa on Wednesday. Anand says Canada is hopeful a ceasefire deal can be reached between Israel and Lebanon.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she is in the process of contacting Israeli officials following the death of a Canadian in Lebanon.
Anand told reporters on Wednesday the Canadian government is “very concerned” about Hassan Haidar’s death, and she expressed condolences to the man’s family and community.
Haidar was trying to help a man who was shot last week by a drone in southern Lebanon when he too was shot and killed, Haidar’s brother said on Monday.
Israel intensified attacks on Lebanon last week amid its renewed war with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Canadian killed in Israeli attack in Lebanon is mourned by family
Israeli strikes again rocked southern Lebanon on Wednesday, following historic talks Tuesday between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington.
Asked if she had spoken to Israeli officials following the Canadian man’s death, Anand said, “I have not as of yet, but I am in the process of making contact with them.”
Anand said Canada is hopeful a ceasefire deal can be reached and that she has already spoken to Lebanon’s foreign minister to offer Canada’s solidarity, including for the country’s territorial integrity.