British intelligence will help Israel bring to justice terrorists who have killed at least 700 people and taken more than 100 hostage, Rishi Sunak declared last night as he pledged ‘steadfast support’ for Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an unprecedented show of support, the Prime Minister indicated that MI6 would help Israel track down the Hamas killers who unleashed the bloodiest attack on the country in 50 years. 

Mr Sunak said he had spoken to his Israeli counterpart, Mr Netanyahu, and offered to send ‘diplomatic or security support’, vowing that ‘terrorism will not prevail’. 

A UK government source said the unprecedented offer included potential assistance on identifying ‘threats and targets’. 

Downing Street has also issued a message of support by lighting up the building with the Israeli flag in an expression of solidarity. Mr Sunak, who tweeted a pictured of the display, said: ‘We stand with Israel.’

Meanwhile, the Government is working to establish the status of UK citizens in Israel after the attacks saw at least one British man serving in the country’s army killed.

Rishi Sunak has declared that ‘terrorism will not prevail’ as he pledged ‘steadfast support’ for Benjamin Netanyahu following the deadly attacks by the Hamas. The Prime Minister is pictured at the Chequers today where he delivered a video message about the situation in Israel

The Israeli flag illuminated Downing Street tonight in solidarity with the people of Israel

The Prime Minister posted tonight on X, formerly known as Twitter, to proclaim that Britain stands with Israel

Flames and smoke fill the air on Sunday as a result of the attack on the Gaza

Israeli airstrikes on Islamic National Bank of Gaza destroyed buildings and neighbourhoods at Rimal district of Gaza City. Citizens are pictured walking amongst the rubble on Sunday

The Prime Minister has condemned the Palestinian militants for the ‘appalling act of terror’ on Israel and described the events of the past 36 hours, in which at least 700 people have been killed, as ‘truly horrifying’. 

In a statement delivered from Chequers on Sunday, Mr Sunak said: ‘The scenes that we’ve seen in Israel over the past 36 hours are truly horrifying.

‘I want to express my absolute solidarity for the people of Israel now is not a time for equivocation, and I’m unequivocal. Hamas, and the people who support Hamas, are fully responsible for this appalling act of terror, for the murder of civilians and for the kidnapping of innocent people, including children.’

Mr Sunak said he had spoken with the Israeli PM earlier today to offer the UK’s ongoing support, adding: ‘Terrorism will not prevail.’

Britain’s PM said he offered Mr Netanyahu ‘any support’ Israel needs in a conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister this afternoon, Downing Street said.

Mr Sunak also stressed his commitment to ‘ensuring the Jewish community in the UK feels safe and secure at this time’, according to a readout.

A No 10 spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, following deadly attacks by Hamas against Israel.

‘He reaffirmed that the UK will stand with Israel unequivocally against these acts of terror. The Prime Minister offered Prime Minister Netanyahu any support Israel needs.

‘The Prime Minister outlined the diplomatic work the UK is doing to ensure the world speaks with one voice in opposition to these appalling attacks. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s support.

‘The Prime Minister also stressed his commitment to ensuring the Jewish community in the UK feels safe and secure at this time. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact as the situation develops.’

In a statement delivered from Chequers, Mr Sunak said today: ‘The scenes that we’ve seen in Israel over the past 36 hours are truly horrifying. I want to express my absolute solidarity for the people of Israel now is not a time for equivocation, and I’m unequivocal. Hamas, and the people who support Hamas, are fully responsible for this appalling act of terror, for the murder of civilians and for the kidnapping of innocent people, including children.’

Mr Sunak reiterated that the UK is one of Israel’s ‘strongest allies’ in supporting the country’s right to self-defence. Pictured: The Israeli flag illuminates Downing Street tonight

Israeli soldiers are pictured patrolling the roads near the border with Gaza on Sunday

Fire and smoke rise following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday after the militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel

Israeli soldiers are pictured at the southern Israeli town of Ofakim on Sunday

Search and rescue team continue their effort at the damaged buildings after Israeli airstrikes launched in Gaza City yesterday

Israeli soldiers at the southern Israeli town of Ofakim on Sunday. Israel announced initiating a large-scale operation ‘Swords of Iron’ after the surprise attacks yesterday

Hamas claimed to have fired 5,000 rockets into Israel from the occupied Gaza Strip, setting off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Horrifying images of helpless civilians being dragged from their homes have been posted on social media by the gloating kidnappers. 

Lieutenant Masha Michelson, of the IDF, said: ‘These were women, children, elderly people. There’s been a 97-year-old grandma who was kidnapped into Gaza.It’s horrific. It’s never before seen. This unprecedented attack calls for an unprecedented response.’

Lt Michelson warned the hostages were likely to be used as human shields against Israel’s retaliatory attacks. He added: ‘If they’re using their own civilians in Gaza, who they don’t see as an enemy, as a human shield, I don’t even want to think what they will do with Israeli hostages.’

Prime minister Netanyahu has declared war on Hamas, vowing to take ‘mighty vengeance’ for the surprise attack.

The IDF warned Palestinians to flee Gaza while electricity, fuel and supplies were cut off. Airstrikes targeted known Hamas bases, killing more than 400 and injuring more than 2,300. Fierce fighting continued on the ground in Israel as IDF troops fought street to street to neutralise terrorists who had infiltrated the country during the attack.

Hundreds of Israelis were killed by Hamas gunmen and by the barrage of more than 2,500 rockets that rained down on the country on Saturday morning, overwhelming its Iron Dome defence system.

At least 260 bodies were recovered from the site of the desert rave, which was stormed by terrorists in the opening hours of the surprise assault. Two Britons – security guard Jake Marlowe, 26, and photographer Dan Darlington – are missing.

The international community condemned the attacks last night, with both the United States and Britain pledging to support Tel Aviv’s efforts.

Mr Sunak reiterated that the UK is one of Israel’s ‘strongest allies’ in supporting the country’s right to self-defence.

Speaking to reporters, he said: ‘The UK for a long time has been one of Israel’s strongest allies in supporting its right to self-defence and indeed providing the kinds of equipment that Israel has used to defend itself from these appalling attacks over the past 36 hours.

‘We will continue to do everything that we can to help. When I spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu… I assured him of that support and said that the UK stood ready to provide that support, whether that’s diplomatic or security support’.

The Israeli army moves artillery units toward border with Gaza on Sunday

A man is seen walking with his bicycle on Sunday after Israeli airstrikes destroyed buildings and neighbourhoods at Rimal district of Gaza City

Israeli soldiers take position on the main road near the border with Gaza on Sunday

Hamas militants’ bodies lie next to their car on the road south of Israeli near the border with Gaza on Sunday

Israeli army move artillery units towards the border with Gaza on Sunday

People flee as clashes flare between Palestinian groups and Israeli forces in Gaza City following the earlier air strikes on Saturday

Palestinians celebrate on Saturday after an Israeli tank was hit by Hamas gunmen who infiltrated the south of the country, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border

Israeli medical teams evacuate an injured person from the southern city of Sderot, close to the border with the Gaza Strip, on Saturday

Mr Sunak also urged those in the region not to use the Israel-Hamas conflict ‘as an opportunity to incite further violence or hatred’.

He added: ‘Of course, no-one wants to see regional escalation, and both the UK and allies have urged everyone in the region not to use this as an opportunity to incite further violence or hatred.

‘And in the meantime, we will continue to provide Israel with every support that it needs as we stand steadfast with Israel, including its right to self-defence to ensure that these attacks do not happen.’

US President Joe Biden has pledged additional support for the IDF in the coming days. But Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian representative at the UN, said the international community should not encourage Israel to wage a war on Gaza because it would fuel the ‘cycle of violence’. 

Asked what assistance is being provided to British citizens caught up in the conflict, Mr Sunak told on Sunday: ‘This is a dangerous and fast-moving situation on the ground. And I know that there will be families who are anxious about their loved ones.

‘I want to reassure them that the Foreign Office and the Government here is in close contact with our Israeli counterpart to establish the status of any British nationals on the ground.’

‘In the meantime, people should follow all the Foreign Office advice and indeed the advice from the Israelis on the ground and contact the Foreign Office if you have any concerns or need any assistance.’ 

An injured man is carried on a stretcher by members of the Israeli security forces following air strikes in southern Israel

A family, including a tearful girl, is evacuated after a rocket attack in southern Israel on Saturday

A woman stands in a damaged room in Ashkelon, Israel after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants

The family of 20-year-old Nathanel Young, a Briton serving with the Israeli Defence Services, said he had been killed on the Gaza border on Saturday.

Two other UK nationals – 26-year-old Jake Marlowe, who went to the same London school as Mr Young and photographer Dan Darlington – are also thought to be missing.

READ MORE: Met Police confirms increased patrols in London amid fears of antisemitic attacks on capital’s Jewish communities and huge protests following violence in Israel

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Mr Young, who was a former pupil at JFS Jewish School in north London, is among hundreds to have died following a surprise attack by Palestinian militants which caught Israel off-guard on a major holiday.

Gaby Shalev, from London, posted on Facebook: ‘We’re heartbroken to share that our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday.’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with Mr Young’s family, condemning the ‘terrible violence’ which he labelled a ‘terrorist attack’.

‘This is a grave and significant moment,’ he said. ‘The indiscriminate attacks from Hamas are unjustifiable and have set back the cause of peace.’

Mr Marlowe, who went to the same school as Mr Young, was reported missing while providing security at a music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, close to the Gaza border.

Mr Darlington, who was visiting from his home in Berlin, Germany, is also missing, according to his father David, as reported by the BBC.

Mr Young’s brother, Eliot Young, said in a statement released to the BBC: ‘Nathanel was full of life and the life of the party. He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone.

‘He loved music and was a talented DJ, DJing both on base and at Benji’s House, the lone-soldier house where he was living.’

Mr Young had been living in the Bayit Shel Benji lone-soldier house in Raanana, according to the Jewish News.

The Israeli Embassy in London has confirmed his death and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been approached for comment.

Nathanel Young, from London, was serving in the 13th Battalion of the Israeli Defence Forces when he was killed yesterday

In a moving tribute his family described Mr Young (centre right) as ‘the life of the party’ and a ‘talented DJ’

Jake Marlowe (pictured) was working as a security guard at a music festival that was attacked by Hamas militants

Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday. Pictured, people try to extinguish fire on cars following a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel

Israeli civilians were purportedly taken off the street and driven back into Gaza

A woman in Tel Aviv picks her way through rubble late on Saturday

The FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the conflict.

The Israeli Embassy in London confirmed that London-born Mr Marlowe, who is reported to have moved to Israel two years ago was missing, but it had not been confirmed that he had been kidnapped.

A spokesperson said: ‘He is missing, we don’t know for sure that he is taken hostage or dead or in a hospital.’

Mr Marlowe’s mother Lisa, told the Jewish News: ‘He was doing security at this rave yesterday and called me at 4.30am to say all these rockets were flying over.

‘Then, at about 5.30am, he texted to say ‘signal very bad, everything OK, will keep you updated I promise you’, and that he loves me.’

Israeli media have reported that at least 700 people were killed, including 26 soldiers, during the attacks, prompting Mr Netanyahu to say they were at ‘war’ as the country launched a military response.

Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom Tzipi Hotovely confirmed that a British citizen ‘is in Gaza’ following kidnappings by Hamas, but did not clarify if they were being held hostage.

She told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: ‘I know there is one British citizen who is in Gaza at the moment.

‘The Israeli government is doing everything we can to help those who are held hostage and every citizen who is taken is returned.’

Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns said the Government’s priority would be ensuring the safety of the missing Briton and as well as other British nationals in Israel.

She told Sky News today: ‘What we did see yesterday was British families having to hide in safe rooms some with, I believe, a baby as young as 10 days old, and so many international victims being taken hostage.

Smoke and flames billow after Israeli forces struck a high-rise tower in Gaza City, October 7

Palestinians are greeted by crowds after returning from crossing the border into Israel on Saturday

A man carries a crying child as they walk past a building destroyed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Saturday

Israeli tanks being transported on a road near Sderot. Israel formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday

‘Obviously, that will be a priority for the British Government, I would expect the ministers will be in today working on precisely how we can get that individual to safety working with our allies.

‘It’s crucial we do not give the terrorists what they want but, at the same time, first and foremost the duty of the British Government is to keep British nationals safe.’

Ms Kearns placed the blame for the attack on Iran for supporting Hamas and called for the proscription of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which she described as the country’s ‘international terror tool’.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said they would not comment on individual cases but added: ‘However, we can confirm we are in contact with, and assisting, the families of several individuals in Israel and the OPTs (Occupied Palestinian Territories).

‘The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice which is updated regularly.’

The Israeli government formally declared war on Sunday and gave the green light for ‘significant military steps’ to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack.

The declaration came as the military tried to crush fighters still in southern towns and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

The toll passed 1,000 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.

Dramatic footage caught the moment Gaza’s Islamic National Bank exploded after being hit during Israeli air strikes

Video footage captured the second the Islamic National Bank was struck, sending a huge cloud of smoke and flames into the air

Nearby buildings were destroyed during the strike on the bank in the Rimal district 

Two men stand near the site of the explosion on Sunday, which tore through the neighbourhood and ripped overhead wires

More than 24 hours after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, Israeli forces were still trying to defeat the last groups of militants holed up in several towns.

At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel, a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades, and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes pound the territory.

The Israeli rescue service Zaka said its paramedics removed about 260 bodies from a music festival attended by thousands that came under attack.

The total figure is expected to be higher as other paramedic teams were working in the area.