LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) – More than 10 Britons are feared dead or missing in Israel, the BBC reported on Monday, citing an official source.
A London-born man who was serving in the Israeli army died on Saturday on the Gaza border, his family said, and another British man is missing, Israel’s embassy in London said.
Jewish News said Nathanel Young was one of the many Israeli soldiers who were killed in a multi-pronged attack by Palestinian gunmen. A family statement on Facebook said: “We’re heartbroken to share that our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday.”
A second man went missing early on Saturday, the embassy said.
His mother, Lisa, told Jewish News that Jake Marlowe, 26, had been providing security at a music festival and she last heard from her son via text message.
“He was doing security at this rave and called me at 04:30 to say all these rockets were flying over,” she said. “Then, at about 05:30, he texted to say, ‘signal very bad, everything OK, will keep you updated I promise you,’ and that he loves me.”
In Saturday’s assault, Hamas fighters escaped back to Gaza with dozens of hostages, including both soldiers and civilians. Tzipi Hotovely, the Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom, earlier told Sky News a British citizen was in Gaza. But she did not identify the name of the individual.
“I know that Israel is doing everything to make sure all the people being kept hostage at the moment in the hands of Hamas will be released,” she said.
Nepal says 10 nationals killed in Israel
Nepal said on Monday at least 10 of its nationals were killed in Israel after the attack by Palestinian group Hamas, and the cabinet will hold an emergency meeting to discuss how to evacuate thousands of others working and studying there.
The foreign ministry said four Nepalis were also wounded in Saturday’s attack, and media reports said many others were hiding in bunkers.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has convened a special cabinet meeting to discuss ways to get citizens back home, his office said on Monday.
“Arrangements are being made to evacuate Nepali nationals who want to return home from Israel,” the foreign ministry said late on Sunday.
Officials say about 4,500 Nepalis work in Israel, mostly as caregivers, and more than 100 are studying there under an “earn and learn” programme.
Several U.S. nationals have died since the start of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, a National Security Council spokesman said, adding that U.S. officials remained in touch with their Israeli counterparts.
Official word of Americans killed in the conflict came as Israel retaliated for the incursion, one of the bloodiest in it history, launching attacks on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
Thailand working for citizens taken hostage
Thailand is working with Jordan, Egypt and Malaysia, among other countries, with a view to securing the release of its citizens taken hostage during unrest in Israel, a deputy foreign minister said on Monday.
A dozen Thai nationals were killed, nine wounded and 11 more kidnapped, Thailand’s government said, when Hamas militants burst across the fence from Gaza on a rampage that killed at least 700 Israelis. Dozens of people have been taken hostage.
“We are coordinating with countries that have links to the country that have taken our nationals hostage to negotiate for their release,” Jakkapong Sangmanee, told a press briefing.
There were 1,400 Thais who have signed up to be evacuated, he said, adding the first group to return home would be those injured. About 30,000 Thai nationals work in Israel, according to Thai government figures.
Negotiations towards securing the release of the Thai hostages was “very positive” Jakkapong said, without elaborating.
Two Spaniards “affected” by Hamas attacks
(Reuters) – Two Spaniards have been “affected” by the Hamas assault on Israel, Spain’s acting foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Monday.
Albares did not elaborate on the status of the Spaniards or give any further details.
“We have information about two Spaniards who have been affected and we are in constant contact with their families. For security reasons and out of respect for their families, I will not give any more details,” he told state broadcaster TVE.
Fighters from the Islamist group Hamas killed 700 Israelis and abducted dozens in Saturday’s attacks, which were the deadliest such incursion since the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago, prompting Israel to retaliate by pounding the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
Albares said Hamas actions qualified as “terrorism”.
“Without a doubt, we are talking about terrorism and terrorist actions,” he previously said in an interview with Spanish radio Onda Cero.
He said the government would help Spanish nationals who are in Israel and wish to return to Spain.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro, editing by Aislinn Laing and Ed Osmond)
Photo: Stretchers used to carry wounded Israelis are seen outside the destroyed police station that was controlled by Hamas militants in the southern city of Sderot, close to the Gaza border, Israel, . EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI
