WORLD
At least 10 Brits have been killed in Israel-Hamas war while six more are missing, UK government reveals
Baku, October 24, AZERTAC
At least 10 British nationals have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas while a further six are missing, the Daily Mail reported citing the British government.
Treasury minister Victoria Atkins earlier said that it was understood the six missing Britons were being held captive by the terrorists, but Number 10 later said that this was 'incorrect'.
The government said it does not know whether the missing are among the over 200 hostages being held by Hamas, Downing Street clarified.
Atkins said the number of Britons killed by Hamas gunmen had risen from nine to ten, including two teenagers, a soldier and youngsters who were visiting Israel for a holiday or to attend a music festival that turned into a massacre.
When asked about whether the six other Brits were missing or held hostage, Atkins told Sky News: 'We understand - and I'm being very careful because we know how important accuracy of words is in this context - but we understand that they are hostages.'
Hamas on Monday said it had freed two Israeli women who were among the more than 200 hostages taken during its October 7 rampage in southern Israel.
Among those killed by Hamas is British teenager Noiya Sharabi, 16, her 13-year-old sister Yahel and her mother Lianne. The girls' father, Eli Sharabi, is still missing and is feared to have been abducted by Hamas gunmen and taken back to Gaza, like their uncle Yossi, 53.