Israeli soldier born in London killed in war with Hamas; another Brit possibly held hostage

A London-born soldier who was a member of the Israeli army passed away on Saturday near the Gaza border, according to his family. On Sunday, the Israel embassy in London reported the missing status of another British soldier.

According to Jewish News, Nathanel Young was one of many Israeli troops killed in a coordinated assault by Palestinian militants. Family members posted a heartbreaking statement on Facebook: “We’re heartbroken to share that our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday.”

The embassy reported that a second guy went missing early on Saturday.

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.

(With inputs from agencies)