12 Brits killed in Israel-Gaza conflict as five suspected hostages held by Hamas

Soldier Yosef Guedalia is the latest British national to be confirmed dead

The number of British nationals killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas has risen to 12, and a further five remain missing, Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson has confirmed.

It comes after Yosef Guedalia was named as another British-Israeli killed by Hamas in the 7 October attack.

The 22-year-old soldier was part of an anti-terror unit when he was killed confronting gunmen at kibbutz Kfar Aza.

His brother Asher said he “literally saved people minutes before he got shot”.

“He acted with heroism and determination, he continued to fight and didn’t think of himself or hesitate…He went in to rescue as many citizens as possible before they got murdered in their homes and to kill as many terrorists as he could,” he said.

Other British nationals killed so far include two teenage sisters and their mother, a photographer, a soldier and a music festival security guard.

Yahel Sharabi, 13, and her older sister Noyia, 16, were originally both missing after the Palestinian militant group attacked kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel.

Both have since been confirmed dead by their relatives, with their family telling the BBC: “Noiya was clever, sensitive, fun and full of life – her smile lit up the room like a beacon,” while her younger sister was described as a “bundle of unbridled energy and joy”.

Their British-born mother Lianne was also killed during the attack, while their father Eli remains missing and is believed to be a hostage inside Gaza.

Yahel Sharabi (L), her sister Noiya (R) and their mother Lianne were all killed (Family hand out)

Last week, a Manchester United fan was also confirmed as another victim of the shock incursion. Yonatan Rapoport has been remembered as a “great father”, who had planned to take his son to the Old Trafford ground for a match next month.

His family believe that he was killed after Hamas gunmen arrived at kibbutz Be’eri and entered the safe room where he had been hiding with his children.

His mother, Noelle Rapoport, said he was “very much loved” on the kibbutz, particularly by the older residents.

“He never went by without smiling at them, saying hello and helping them,” she said.

Danny Darlington and his German girlfriend were both confirmed dead by their relatives (Sourced)

Photographer Danny Darlington, 34, was among the first British citizens to be confirmed dead, after he and his German girlfriend were killed during the surprise attack.

The two had been travelling around southern Israel, with their recent social media pictures showing them cycling, laughing and taking pictures of the sunset.

They had been due to return to Tel Aviv on 6 October, but had fatefully decided to remain in the region for an additional day.

His sister Shelley Darlington posted: “Knowing how many people loved and cared for Danny, and reading your memories of him will never bring him back, but it does offer a slither of comfort to the indescribable pain I am feeling.”

Nathanel Young had been serving with the Israeli military (Sourced)

Bernard Cowan, who grew up around Glasgow but had settled in Israel wiht his wife and three children, was also killed in the attack.

He was identified on social media by his family members, with tributes soon flooding in from Scotland for the dedicated grandfather.

In a statement, his family said: “We are grieving the loss of our son and brother, Bernard Cowan, who was horrifically murdered on Saturday during the surprise terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

“We ask for privacy at this time while we process this huge loss to our family, both at home and in Israel, and to the Jewish community in Glasgow where he will be sorely missed.”

Also among those confirmed to have died is 20-year-old Nathanel Young, who had been serving in the Israeli military in the 13th Battalion.

Jake Marlowe had been working as a security guard at a music festival which was ambushed by Hamas gunmen (Sourced)

At the time of his death, he had been living in the Bayit Shel Benji, a home for lone IDF soldiers in Raanana, when he was ambushed by Hamas terrorists.

Prior to moving to Israel, he had been a former pupil at JFS, a Jewish mixed comprehensive school in north London.

Jake Marlowe, 26, had attended the same school as Mr Young, and was originally recorded as missing but later confirmed dead by the Israeli embassy in London.

He had been providing security at the music festival Supernova in the desert near kibbutz Re’im, when the area was invaded by gunmen.

His mother Lisa wrote on Facebook that she and her family were “heartbroken” after hearing the “crushing news”.

Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifschitz being released as hostages (Al Qassam brigades via AP)

More than 220 hostages were seized during the attack on 7 October, with the Hamas military wing releasing another two hostages on Monday evening.

Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifschitz, 85, were freed for “compelling humanitarian reasons” in a deal brokered by Qatari officials.

The two women were airlifted to a Tel Aviv hospital to be reunited with their family, with Ms Lifschitz recounting to local media: “They loaded me on a motorcycle sideways so I wouldn’t fall, with one terrorist holding me from the front and the other from behind.”

In a statement confirming her mother’s release, British citizen Sharone Lifschitz said: “While I cannot put into words the relief that she is now safe, I will remain focused on securing the release of my father and all those – some 200 innocent people – who remain hostages in Gaza.”