Toronto police are investigating a suspected hate-motivated offence after several Israeli flags were reportedly set on fire near a Christian church early Wednesday, on the third anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel.

Emergency crews responded around 1:30 a.m. near the Word of Faith International Christian Centre in the Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive area, according to CBC News.

Toronto Fire extinguished the outdoor blaze. Police said no injuries were reported and no arrests had been made.

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Const. Jamie Loomans told CBC the investigation remains ongoing and officers are treating the incident as a suspected hate-motivated offence.

Police have also increased their presence across Toronto for the anniversary.

The October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 taken hostage.

Early this morning, someone set Israeli flags on fire outside a church in North York. Police are investigating it as a hate-motivated offence. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

This was not a protest. It was an act of intimidation, aimed at the Jewish community and it seems,… https://t.co/0bKTE7mSM4

— Brad Bradford (@BradMBradford) October 7, 2026

Toronto city councillor and mayoral candidate Brad Bradford condemned the reported flag burning as “an act of intimidation,” expressing support for Jewish families and the church’s congregants.

“Hate directed at any community is a threat to every community,” Bradford said, calling for those responsible to be found and charged.

He urged anyone with information or video of the incident to contact police.