Six British nationals are suspected to be amongst these being held hostage by Hamas militants, a minister has informed Sky News.
Victoria Atkins, monetary secretary to the Treasury, stated the lacking Britons have been the federal government’s “absolute priority”.
“It’s a very, very fast-moving situation, but the latest figure I’ve been given is that there are suspected to be six British nationals,” she informed Sky News.
Asked whether or not they have been lacking or being held hostage, she stated: “We understand … that they are hostages.
“I do acknowledge that it is a very fast-moving state of affairs and that determine could or could not change, and I understand how tough that have to be for the households and the buddies at residence right here within the UK who’re grappling with unbelievable fear and concern about their family members.”
Ms Atkins earlier confirmed that the variety of Britons killed both throughout or since Hamas’s shock assault on Israel had risen from 9 to 10.
Israel-Gaza newest: Two feminine hostages freed by Hamas
Among the lifeless are two youngsters, a soldier, individuals visiting Israel on vacation, and a music pageant safety guard.
Hamas launched two Israeli hostages on Monday night time, after releasing two US residents on Friday.
Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper have been taken from their houses by Hamas militants throughout the 7 October raids.
Sixteen days later, Hamas stated it was releasing them for “humanitarian reasons”.
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Egyptian TV confirmed the ladies being taken out of Gaza on the Rafah crossing and put into ambulances.
The husbands of Ms Lifshitz and Ms Cooper are nonetheless being held hostage by Hamas.
The group didn’t clarify why solely the ladies had been launched.
American hostages Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan have been the primary to be launched by Hamas final week.
They too have been let go for “humanitarian reasons”.
Both of them maintain Israeli citizenship and have been on a visit to Israel from their residence in Chicago to rejoice the Jewish holidays once they have been seized.
Natalie Raanan’s father stated she was “doing very good” after her launch.
On Sunday, earlier than the discharge of Ms Lifshitz and Ms Cooper, a spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated 212 individuals have been being held hostage in Gaza.
Source: information.sky.com”