‘It’s like living in a nightmare’: British relatives of Gaza hostages speak out

Ayelet Svatitzky speaking at a press conference at the Israeli Embassy in London. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

British relatives of hostages held in Gaza say they feel mentally tortured by Hamas releasing a handful of their captives and the speculation that more could follow.

Ayelet Svatitzky’s Israeli mother, Channah Peri, 79, and British brother, Nadav Popplewell, 51, were abducted by Hamas gunmen on 7 October. Her older brother, Roi Popplewell, was among more than 1,400 killed in the attack.