Ex-Calgarian activist in Gaza goes lacking amid Israeli military advance

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A Calgary ex-pat who turned an internationally identified pro-Palestinian activist has gone lacking in Gaza as Israeli troops superior to the place he’d been in search of refuge.

Household and associates of Mansour Shouman concern the person has been both killed or detained by Israeli forces who had begun besieging the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza when he was final heard from Jan. 21.

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In an electronic mail to Mideast diplomats and International Affairs Canada, his mom Dr. Mai Hussein mentioned she’s satisfied her son would have contacted somebody if he was in any respect capable of, regardless of disruptions to communications in Gaza.

“We additionally imagine that in 72 hours, regardless of what is going on in Khan Younis, and regardless of the communication blackout, Mansour would have discovered a option to no less than tell us he’s alive,” she wrote on Wednesday.

“We do imagine that even when he was injured and aware, he would discover a option to no less than tell us he’s alive. This leaves us to imagine that he’s probably kidnapped by or taken and held someplace.”

Shouman decided to assist Gaza

Canadian citizen Shouman, 39, left Calgary in 2022 to be nearer to household in Gaza — however a number of weeks after Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel and Israel’s retaliatory assault, his spouse and 5 youngsters left the coastal enclave and are actually secure in Abu Dhabi.

However the logistics guide and former Edgemont resident selected to remain, utilizing his data of English to assist increase funds and meals donations for needy Gazans, to offer updates on the struggle scenario and to shore up Palestinian morale, which frequently included condemning Israeli actions.

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Shouman had turn into a well-known face amongst massive media retailers with a worldwide attain for the reason that struggle started and supplied day by day social media updates in regards to the state of the battle, usually from a spot in Nasser Hospital.

His mom mentioned he’s helped accumulate $500,000 price of money and items for Palestinians beneath Israeli blockade.

In his final communication on Jan. 21, a tired-looking Shouman spoke of having fun with a much-needed bathe and mentioned the world he was in was beneath fixed Israeli artillery and air assault.

However he mentioned Israeli forces had withdrawn troops and armour from his instant neighborhood.

“Nothing modifications for us, we stay right here, we stay steadfast,” he mentioned in a video as explosions may be heard within the background.

On Thursday, Shouman didn’t reply to a question despatched to his WhatsApp account he used to convey messages day by day.

He’d informed this reporter final October that he knew his life was in peril by staying however he was decided to stay in Gaza.

‘A Canadian volunteer’: Mom pleads for assist

After Hamas militants killed about 1,200 Israelis and took 240 captives in final October’s incursion, well being authorities in Gaza say greater than 25,000 individuals there have been killed, two-thirds of them ladies and youngsters.

Shouman’s mom despatched out one other plea to International Affairs on Thursday, insisting her son was a humanitarian help employee who shouldn’t be focused by the Israelis.

“My son is a Canadian volunteer working to assist civilians with meals, drugs and shelter, nothing (to do) with politics or army,” she mentioned.

“Folks world wide trusted him and donated to assist Gaza individuals … please discover him and assist to launch him.”

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On Wednesday, International Affairs Canada made a short response to Hussein, saying they had been wanting into her considerations.

“Please observe that we now have shared this file with consular officers to offer help to you and your loved ones,” they acknowledged.

In addition they requested her for any contacts or social media coordinates that might help within the seek for Shouman.

In certainly one of her emails, Hussein mentioned a few of her son’s associates indicated he was secure earlier this week whereas others mentioned he’d left Khan Younis to go to Rafah on the Egyptian border, which is used as an exit level for these fleeing the battle.

However Hussein mentioned no one has truly heard from or seen her son since final Sunday.

And she or he doesn’t imagine her one left Khan Younis for Rafah.

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X (Twitter): @BillKaufmannjrn

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