Canadian authorities recently called in Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed to investigate the death of Canadian citizen Mohammad Hassan Haidar in southern Lebanon, stated Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on Tuesday. Anand emphasized the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation during discussions with the Israeli ambassador. Additionally, Canada’s Ambassador to Israel, Leslie Scanlon, engaged with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which agreed to conduct a probe.
Haidar’s family revealed in a press conference in Windsor, Ontario, that he lost his life in a drone attack on April 10 while trying to assist an injured individual near his residence in Qana, southern Lebanon. Despite reaching out to the embassy for comments on the incident and Moed’s meeting with Canadian officials, there has been no response from Israel, which has not accepted responsibility for the incident.
This marks the third time Anand has summoned Moed for a démarche since last spring. Previously, in May 2025, Anand called for an investigation after shots were fired near a diplomatic delegation that included Canadians. In December of the same year, Moed was summoned again following the blockage of a Canadian MPs delegation from entering the West Bank and Jerusalem. These incidents have led to heightened diplomatic tensions between Canada and Israel.
Notably, this is not the first instance of Canada requesting Israel to investigate military actions. In August 2024, then-International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen sought an investigation into a demolished Canadian water treatment plant in Gaza. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also demanded clarity on the death of Canadian aid worker Jacob Flickinger during a strike in Gaza earlier that year. The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged the mistake in Flickinger’s case and expressed regret.
Global Affairs has confirmed receiving an update from Israel regarding the water plant issue in September 2024 but has not disclosed the details. The ongoing investigations and diplomatic engagements between Canada and Israel underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in such matters.