Two flyer campaigns that show the horrors of the current conflict in the Middle East have landed in Coquitlam.
In one movement, dozens of flyers with the word "Kidnapped" at the top are posted on street light poles around the City Centre neighbourhood in a bid to bring attention to those captured by Hamas militants amid the Israel–Gaza Strip conflict.
Created by the non-profit group Kidnapped From Israel, the flyers show an image of a hostage, as well as their name and age.
"On October 7th, more than 200 innocent civilians were abducted from Israel into the Gaza Strip. Their whereabouts remain unknown," the flyer states below each photo.
"More than 3,000 women, men and children, ranging in age from 3 months to 85 years old, were wounded, murdered, beaten, raped and brutally separated from loved ones by Hamas."
The group also encourages readers to scan a QR code, which links to its website, and share the poster.
The Kidnapped From Israel flyer movement has also taken hold in major cities around the world such as Toronto, New York, London, Berlin and Sydney.
Many of the flyers have also been noticeably ripped down across Coquitlam.
A request for comment from the group was not immediately returned to the Tri-City News, as of this publication, Oct. 24.
Meanwhile, another flyer campaign in Coquitlam is calling for help in the Gaza Strip.
Access to Aid — hosted by Islamic Relief Canada — wants a ceasefire, as well as humanitarian aid; it is also asking the public to email local politicians about the crisis.
It is believed Hamas and other militants in Gaza kidnapped about 200 civilians on Oct. 7. More than 1,400 people, including Canadians, have been killed in Israel in the past two weeks. In Gaza, the death toll following Israeli airstrikes is now stands at around 5,800 people.
Some hostages have been released over the past few days.
Today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed at a news conference with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron that Israel will destroy Hamas and that no one would live "under Hamas tyranny."
Also today, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency and the World Health Organization (WHO) called for an unimpeded flow of aid into Gaza, especially for fuel.
WHO states that one-third of Gaza hospitals are not operating.
