Seventeen British nationals, including children, are feared dead or missing in Israel after attacks by Hamas, the Guardian understands. The atrocities have so far claimed at least 2,100 lives.
Nathanel Young
Nathanel Young, 20, was serving as a corporal in the Israeli army when he was killed in Saturday’s attack.
In a statement to the BBC, his brother, Eliot Young, said: “Nathanel was full of life and the life of the party. He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone.”
He described him as a talented DJ and music lover who had “strong Jewish pride”. Hundreds of people attended Nathanel’s funeral at Israel’s national cemetery, Mount Herz, this week. Mourners referred to the former pupil at JFS, a Jewish school in north London, as “the lone soldier”, saying they had come to ensure he was not buried alone.
At the funeral, Young’s family paid tribute to him as someone who loved playing with his four nieces before the service was interrupted by air force sirens.
Jake Marlowe
Jake Marlowe, who went to the same school as Nathanel before moving to Israel, was part of the security team at the Supernova music festival where 260 people were killed.
The 26-year-old Arsenal fan and musician was reported missing after the attack and his parents, Lisa and Michael Marlowe, spoke of their desperate attempts to locate him.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, his mother said: “We are heartbroken to have to inform you the crushing news that our son Jake has been confirmed dead in southern Israel.
“Repatriation plans are being put in to place, more information will follow. Please respect our privacy at this most devastating time.”
Bernard Cowan
Bernard Cowan, 57, who grew up in Glasgow and lived near the border with Gaza with his wife and three children, was also killed, according to his family.
In a statement, they 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.”
Dan Darlington
Dan Darlington, a 34-year-old photographer, was reported to have been killed on Saturday at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel, according to an Instagram post by his sister, Shelley.
In Tuesday’s post she said she was living in a “waking nightmare”, adding: “Only days before he was riding his bike, laughing, taking photos of sunsets and enjoying life’s simple pleasures in our beautiful kibbutz.
“He was meant to leave for Tel Aviv the night before but decided to stay one more day to explore the kibbutz with his friend – a decision that has irrevocably changed all our lives forever, and one that cost him his life.”
She described him as gentle, kind and “a pacifist at his core”.
Dor Shafir
Dor Shafir, 30, was reported missing by his British mother, Miryam Shafir, after attending the Supernova music festival with his fiancee, Savion Kiper, 31.
Miryam, who described her son as British and Irish, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday that Kiper’s body had been found but that there was no sign of Dor. The 55-year-old urged the UK government to help trace missing Britons and said she was “praying” that her son, who worked in podcasting, was still alive.
But in a Facebook post on Wednesday, which has been translated from Hebrew into English, she said: “The Shafir family announces with great sorrow the murder of their son Dor.”
