Ottawa police say there will be an increased presence outside religious institutions in the capital following news of recent strikes targeting leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah in the Middle East.
Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur was killed in Beirut. Israel said it was behind the strike in Beirut but has neither confirmed nor denied any involvement in Haniyeh’s killing.
Police said the news “will undoubtedly impact many communities.”
Police also vowed to have an increased presence at demonstrations as well.
“We urge residents and visitors in Ottawa to remain peaceful and lawful. Police will continue to remain neutral,” police wrote on social media.
“Any perceived threat or intimidation, theft, property damage, act of vandalism, or other crime, will be taken very seriously.”
Ottawa police have previously announced an increased presence around mosques, synagogues, and other locations of religious significance since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.
Police say reported hate crimes were down two per cent overall in the first six months of the year compared to statistics from 2023, but incidents against Jewish and Muslim residents doubled year-over-year, with Jewish residents targeted significantly more.
Police have so far reported 74 incidents targeting the Jewish community in the first half of 2024, compared to 36 in the same time in 2023. There were 15 reported incidents against Muslims in the first half of 2024 compared to seven in 2023.
There were 92 reported incidents against Jewish people in all of 2023 and 21 against Muslims.