In a tweet on Twitter, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Canada strongly condemns the horrific killing of Ahmed Abu Markhiya in Hebron. The rights of LGBTQ+ must be protected, regardless of where they live. Canada extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
 

The Palestinian police had arrested a suspect in the killing of a young man, aged 25, whose decapitated body was found in the occupied West Bank.

Activists defending the rights of homosexuals in Israel, where Ahmed Abu Markhiya had sought refuge to live, said he received threats due to his homosexual orientation.

A video from the crime scene in the city of Hebron spread widely across social media, raising many questions about the motives of the crime, but the police say that nothing has been confirmed.

It is still unclear how Abu Markhiya arrived in the city.

Israeli media quoted friends of the victim saying that he was kidnapped and taken to the West Bank.

However, some of his family members said that he regularly visited Hebron to see them and work, and described the allegations about the motive as rumors.

Homosexuality is not accepted within socially and religiously conservative sectors among Palestinians and Israelis.

Reports indicate that he left his city on a humanitarian permit hoping to travel to Canada.

Activist Natalie Farah told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Mr. Abu Markhiya was well-known and beloved and that an entire community "is crying now."

She added, "Everyone is afraid."

Palestinians also expressed their outrage at the decapitation.

The Times of Israel quoted a broadcaster on Dignity Radio saying that the crime "crossed every red line in our society in terms of morality, customs, or basic humanity."

The newspaper said that about 90 Palestinians belonging to the LGBTQ community currently live as asylum seekers in Israel, after facing discrimination in their original communities.