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The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters on Israel last year, and the immediate Israeli retaliation that followed, sent shockwaves throughout the world that have shaken Canada culturally and politically.

Here is a look at some of the major developments in Canada related to the conflict.

Oct. 7, 2023 — Hamas-led militants launched air and ground attacks on Israel, killing nearly 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages. The attacks, followed hours later by Israeli counterattacks in the Gaza Strip, marked the beginning of the current Israel-Hamas war. 

The Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses Church in Trois-Rivières, QC, is picking up the pieces after a fire ravaged the building last week. 

On October 3, local emergency crews were dispatched to help control and put out the fire that had the whole building up in flames. One of the bell towers ended up collapsing because of the fire. 

According to reports, the building was empty of people at the time of the fire, meaning no injuries were reported. 

The Archbishop of Toronto is among 21 new cardinals Pope Francis named Sunday and the lone new cardinal from North America.

Archbishop Francis Leo, 53, was born in Montreal and previously served as vicar general and moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal and auxiliary bishop of Montreal. He has served as archbishop of Toronto since March 2023.

Leo was not available for interviews Sunday as the archdiocese said the news was quite sudden, but he issued a statement saying he is humbled and honoured to receive the appointment.

On Friday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini delivered a sermon calling for Muslim nations to unite against Israel. But what are the people of Iran saying? 

"The vast majority of Iranian people do not want their government to meddle into regional geopolitical affairs at their cost. They also don’t want to see Iran as an Islamic state," says Mike Ansari with Heart4Iran. 

Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

---

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Colossians 1

My first direct view of Titanic lasted less than two minutes, but the stark sight of her immense black hull towering above the ocean floor will remain forever ingrained in my memory. My lifelong dream was to find this great ship, and during the past thirteen years the quest for her had dominated my life. Now, finally, the quest was over.

Emotional mourners gathered by the hundreds in cities across Canada on Sunday to honour the victims of Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the still raging war in Gaza and roiled tensions in the Middle East and beyond.

In the nation's capital, a sea of Israeli flags could be seen draped over participants in front of Ottawa City Hall, with Canadian flags waving alongside them as they called for the release of hostages still being held in Gaza.

Winnipeg police have closed a portion of Portage Avenue following a serious incident Sunday evening. 

Officers shut down the curb lanes of eastbound Portage Avenue between St. James Street and Tylehurst Street shortly after 6 p.m.

There is no word on injuries. 

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and find another route.

More details to come.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeatedly reiterated calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East on Saturday as he blamed Hamas, Hezbollah and Israel for a staggering number of civilian deaths.

But Trudeau stopped short of outright condemning Israel for beginning a ground war days after the Israeli military crossed the border into southern Lebanon.

"We need to see peace in the region," Trudeau said from Paris on the final day of the Francophonie summit.

The Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society is organizing two unique events that will give you an on-the-ground perspective of the 150th anniversary of Mennonite settlement in the province.

October 10 and 22, tours of the East and West Reserve respectively will be taking place, with Ernie Braun leading the East event and Conrad Stoesz the West.