Police in the region north of Toronto reported on Friday night, shortly before midnight, gunfire was directed at the Beit Avraham Yosef of Toronto, one of the largest Orthodox synagogues in North America. According to York Regional Police, no one was injured in the incident, though the building sustained damage.
In a separate incident, Toronto police said shots were also fired at the Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue in the city. As in the earlier attack, no injuries were reported, but the synagogue building was damaged.
Authorities say these incidents are part of a broader pattern. Over the past week, five separate shootings have targeted Jewish institutions or Jewish-run establishments across the greater Toronto area. The attacks come amid heightened international tensions following Operation Roaring Lion.
Due to concerns about rising threats against the Jewish community, police in Toronto have increased security measures in Jewish neighborhoods, as well as around synagogues and other community institutions.
So far, no suspects have been arrested in connection with the shootings. However, security camera footage from two of the incidents reportedly shows a man firing more than 20 rounds from a handgun at targeted buildings while another individual waited nearby and filmed the attack.
According to police data, since the October 7th massacre, more than 60 percent of reported hate crimes in Toronto have been directed at the Jewish community.