Religious group members from across Vancouver gathered on Sunday for an event advocating peace and ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Dozens of people from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim denominations gathered at the Bait Al-Rahman Mosque in Delta, British Columbia, for Voices of Peace, a national campaign launched by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada.

The gathering began with prayers led by each religious leader, followed by a discussion circle where community members could ask questions and share their concerns.

For his part, Imam Imran Bhatti from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said he hopes that bringing together different religious groups will help ease the growing polarization following the Israel-Hamas conflict and ultimately achieve peace in the Middle East.

Bhatti said: "Regardless of our religious backgrounds, and regardless of our teachings, we must come together and promote love for all, not hate anyone, and call for a ceasefire in the Middle East where innocents lose their lives daily."

Laura Dohan Kaplan, a professor of Jewish Studies at Vancouver School of Theology and honorary rabbi at the O Shalom Jewish Temple in Vancouver, also said the message of peace and hope in dark times is particularly important this week as the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah.

In a statement released in early November, British Columbia's Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, said the conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to increased incidents of hate and violence toward both Jews and Muslims in the province.

Janice Prasad, from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Surrey, British Columbia, also said the event was a symbol of how greater unity can be achieved.

The fighting in the Middle East began on October 7 when Hamas militants launched surprise attacks in Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Since then, about 18,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, and 49,500 others injured, according to the health ministry in the sector, which is run by Hamas. About 100 Israeli hostages were released during a week-long truce that ended on December 1.

Fighting also erupted across Gaza on Sunday, with Israel indicating its readiness to fight for months or more to defeat Hamas, and a key mediator said preparations to discuss a ceasefire are fading.