Police to step up patrols from Pickering to Oshawa and Hamilton ahead of Oct. 7 Attack anniversary

Durham Regional Police have announced they will step up patrols ahead of the anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack which sparked the ongoing Israeli siege of Gaza now spilling into neighbouring countries throughout the Middle East.

Fighters with the terrorist organization and ruling party of Gaza, Hamas, flooded over the Israeli barricade on Oct. 7 of last year to attack both military and civilian targets. They sent in flying machines, boats and more than 4,000 rockets.

This barricade has been in place for nearly 20 years forming what Human Rights Watch called an “open-air prison.” It was established after Israel ended its years-long military occupation of the city after which Hamas seized control. The blockade allows Israel to control all food, water, medicine, energy and resources entering Gaza.

Hamas said the attack was in response to the ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands in Gaza and the West Bank since 1967, the blockade, Israeli settlement expansion and threats against the Al-Aqsa Mosque (one of Islam’s holiest sites) as reason for the attack.

Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 Israelis in this initial attack and abducted more than 250 people as hostages.

In the wake of the attack, Israel launched one of the most destructive bombing campaigns in human history against Gaza. By April last year, Israel dropped more than 70,000 tons of bombs on the city, more than the Second World War bombings of Dresden, Hamburg and London combined.

Israel also further tightened their blockade causing an impending famine and a healthcare collapse in the city. The airstrikes have destroyed roughly half of the city’s homes, most of its schools and a third of its farmland. Nearly all of the 2.3 million residents, half of whom are under age 16, have been displaced.

Recently the the conflict spilled beyond Israeli and Palestinian borders when Israel attacked neighbouring Lebanon. The strike was designed to kill the leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah, which is allied with Hamas. This sparked a retaliatory strike from Iran which sponsors both groups.

Likewise, tensions in the Middle East have spread around the world in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack. There have been countless protests in Canada over the last year. In Toronto alone, police managed 1,500 demonstrations and made 72 protest-related arrests since Oct. 7.

Additionally, there has been a steep rise in hate crimes associated with the conflict. According to Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw in the year so far, there have been 350 alleged hate crimes reported in Toronto – a 40 per cent increase since this time last year. He added that the greatest increase has been in alleged hate crimes against the Jewish community, which are up by 69 per cent.

Demkiw said demonstrators have become “increasingly confrontational” against police, including the alleged use of weapons and assaults against officers. Such actions “will not be tolerated,” he warned.

“Communities are hurting, and the trauma of the conflict is deeply personal for many. For those who have family members directly affected by the violence abroad, the feelings of helplessness and frustration are real,” he said, “But we must stand together as a city, and violence and hate, whether directed at each other or at the police, is not the solution.”

As a result, numerous police services including Durham, Hamilton, Toronto and York announced they would be stepping up their presence ahead of Oct. 7.

“Officers will continue pro-active patrols in the areas of faith-based institutions, schools and community areas throughout the Region. Divisional leaders are in contact with community leaders and are working collaboratively to increase direct patrols,” said Durham Regional Police.

“[Durham Police] will not tolerate any form of hate crime or the threat of violence against anyone, and all hate-motivated crime incidents will be thoroughly investigated,” they continued.

Hamilton Police echoed these concerns. The city has also seen a rash of hate crimes since Oct. 7. Notably back in March, the city’s Jewish Film Festival was cancelled after the theatre received numerous threats of violence, prompting severe backlash.

“We understand that global events can have a direct impact on local communities, and we are taking proactive measures to ensure everyone feels safe and protected,” Hamilton Police said, “Our officers will continue to conduct special attentions in areas surrounding places of worship, schools, and community centres to provide a visible presence and reassurance. We are actively monitoring intelligence and information to assess any potential risks and will deploy resources as necessary.”

“We want to make it clear: we will not tolerate any form of hate or discrimination in our community,” they continued, “Hamilton Police are dedicated to upholding the values of respect, inclusion, and safety for all residents, and we will take appropriate action against any acts of hate or violence. Hate has no place in our community.”