Canadian-Israeli woman, missing since Hamas ambush at musical festival, dead: family
Family of a Canadian Israeli woman, who was missing since Hamas militants ambushed a music festival in southern Israel last Saturday, are dealing with the heartbreaking news she has died.
Shir Georgy's aunt, Michal Bouganim, said the 22-year-old was killed by Hamas in the attack on the festival near Kibbutz Re'im.
"We are currently a mess, heartbroken," Bouganim said on Instagram. Earlier in the day, Bouganim shared a post, saying the family "received the terrible news."
- Complete coverage of the Israel-Hamas war
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Georgy is the fourth Canadian to die in the Israel and Hamas conflict.
Georgy, a dual citizen of Israel and Canada, was attending the Supernova music festival in the Negev desert -- a region bordering the Gaza Strip -- on Oct. 7 when Hamas gunmen attacked the partygoers.
In a 22-second video shared by Bouganim online, Georgy is seen terrified, sitting among other festival attendees -- some of them injured -- as they hid in a small room.
Valeri Mesasof, a cousin of Georgy's mother, said she has been in touch with Georgy's family and it has been hard for them.
"I spoke with (Georgy's) mom and her father," said Menasof, who lives in Miami, as she cried on the phone.
"They're not doing very well and it's something beyond understanding," Menasof said. Georgy has two younger brothers and family in Israel.
Hamas militants launched the deadly attack last weekend that killed hundreds of people in Israel, including at the outdoor festival. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, which has been controlled by Hamas since 2007, and by cutting access to water and power in the territory.
Hamas has said the attack was retribution for worsening conditions Palestinians face under Israeli occupation.
Israel's military has told more than one million people living in northern Gaza to evacuate the area, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing Friday to destroy Hamas.
Menasof said Georgy had recently finished her time serving the Israeli army as an officer and was looking forward to starting a new phase in her life.
"She was enjoying life like everybody else does after the army," she said. "She went to the party because she wanted to celebrate with her friends."
Menasof said Georgy spent a few days with her family in the United States earlier this year and they were planning to meet next summer in Israel.
"She was a girl who loved life. She loved people (and) loved to help people," Menasof said.
"Everybody loved her. She was a flower and her smile projected happiness."
Georgy's funeral was to be held in Israel later Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Two-month GST holiday bill expected to pass the House today, Conservatives to vote against
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays, is expected to pass in the House of Commons by the end of the day.
Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says
The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark.
B.C. man lied about cancer diagnosis while dodging $330K debt, court hears
A construction contractor from B.C.’s Lower Mainland has been ordered to repay a $330,000 loan from a friend who gave him leeway for years, despite her own financial suffering – all because she was under the false impression he had brain cancer.
Good Samaritan killed in tragic accident while helping stranded Calgary driver
Calgary police say a Good Samaritan who stopped to help another motorist was killed in an accident on Wednesday night.
Montreal shopping mall playing 'Baby Shark' song to prevent unhoused from loitering
A shopping mall and office complex in downtown Montreal is being criticized for using the popular children's song 'Baby Shark' to discourage unhoused people from loitering in its emergency exit stairwells.
Man jumps out of moving roller-coaster after safety belt fails
Terrifying video shows a man jumping out of a moving roller-coaster in Arizona after he says his safety belt failed.
Listeria contamination concerns prompt mushroom recall: Health Canada
Health Canada says customers across Ontario and Quebec should throw out or return any O’Ya hoho brand Enoki mushrooms due to listeria concerns.
W5 Investigates 'Let me rot in Canada,' pleads Canadian ISIS suspect from secret Syrian prison
W5's Avery Haines tells the story of Jack Letts, a Canadian Muslim convert in a Syrian jail, accused of being a member of ISIS. In part two of a three-part investigation, Haines speaks with Letts, who issues a plea to return to Canada to face justice.
Competition Bureau suing Google, wants company to sell off two advertising services
The Competition Bureau is suing Google over alleged anticompetitive conduct in the tech giant's online advertising business and wants the company to sell off two of its services and pay a penalty.
Local Spotlight
'My dear Carmel': Lost letters returned to 103-year-old Guelph, Ont. woman
A young history buff was able to reunite a Guelph, Ont. woman with letters written by her husband almost 80 years ago.
'We have to do something': Homeless advocates in Moncton reaching out for help over holidays
Twice a week, Joanne and Jeff Jonah fill up their vehicle full of snacks and sandwiches and deliver them to the homeless in downtown Moncton, N.B.
100-year-old Winnipeg man walks blocks to see his wife
It's considered lucky to live to be 100, but often when you hit that milestone, you're faced with significant mobility issues. Not Winnipeg's Jack Mudry. The centenarian regularly walks five blocks to get where he wants to go, the care home where his wife Stella lives.
Video shows B.C. cat bursting through pet door to confront raccoons
Several hungry raccoons were chased off a B.C. couple’s deck this week by one over-confident house cat – who was ultimately lucky to saunter away unscathed.
Trailer Park Boys host Canadian premiere of new movie in Dartmouth
Sunday night was a big night for the Trailer Park Boys, as Ricky, Julian and Bubbles hosted an advanced screening of their new movie in Dartmouth, N.S.
Deer spotted wearing high-visibility safety jacket in Northern B.C.
Andrea Arnold is used to having to slow down to let deer cross the road in her Northern B.C. community. But this weekend she saw something that made her pull over and snap a photo.
From cellphones to dentures: Inside Halifax Transit’s lost and found
Every single item misplaced on a bus or ferry in the Halifax Regional Municipality ends up in a small office at the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, N.S.
Torontonians identify priorities, concerns in new city survey
A new public opinion survey has found that 40 per cent of Torontonians don’t feel safe, while half reported that the quality of life in the city has worsened over the last year.
Longtime member of Edmonton theatre community dies during 'A Christmas Carol' performance
Edmonton's theatre community is in mourning after an actor died during a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel Theatre on Sunday.