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

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

Household and associates of Mansour Shouman worry 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 e mail to Mideast diplomats and International Affairs Canada, his mom Dr. Mai Hussein stated she’s satisfied her son would have contacted somebody if he was in any respect in a position to, regardless of disruptions to communications in Gaza.

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

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

The Israeli navy has been broadly accused of severely abusing prisoners within the battle, one thing the Israelis deny.

Shouman decided to assist Gaza

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

However the logistics advisor and former Edgemont resident selected to remain, utilizing his data of English to assist elevate funds and meals donations for needy Gazans, to supply updates on the warfare state of affairs and to shore up Palestinian morale, which frequently included condemning Israeli actions.

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Shouman had change into a well-recognized face amongst massive media retailers with a worldwide attain for the reason that warfare started and offered every day social media updates concerning the state of the battle, typically from a spot in Nasser Hospital.

His mom stated he’s helped accumulate $500,000 value of money and items for Palestinians underneath Israeli blockade.

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

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

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

On Thursday, Shouman didn’t reply to a question despatched to his WhatsApp account he used to convey messages every 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 girls and kids.

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 navy,” she stated.

“Individuals all over the world 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 have been wanting into her issues.

“Please notice that we’ve shared this file with consular officers to supply help to you and your loved ones,” they said.

Additionally 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 stated a few of her son’s associates indicated he was protected earlier this week whereas others stated 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 stated no one has really heard from or seen her son since final Sunday.

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

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

X (Twitter): @BillKaufmannjrn

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